A king’s calling is onerous, and the temptation to pride and abuse is huge. Therefore, God’s people, even with rulers as bad as Caesar Nero, should never despair, but rather pray. Then, as God’s true prophet Micaiah foretold, Ahab was killed in battle, and all Israel was scattered (I Kings 22). When God chose to judge Israel, He sent a lying spirit into the mouths of His prophets to encourage King Ahab to go to war with Syria. As easily as a gate could be opened to give water, or closed, so God holds the king’s heart in His hand, to turn it right or left. Solomon uses an illustration from ancient irrigation methods, where farmers opened or closed gates leading to irrigation channels, sending water this way or that.
He turns a king’s heart in whatever direction He wishes. When He judges a land, He says, “I will make boys their rulers, and infants shall rule over them (Isaiah 3:4).”īut God’s power goes further than giving a good or bad ruler. When God chooses to bless a country, He gives it a good, strong, wise king. In our day, kings don’t rule, but American presidents have immense power, so the character and ability of a president matter hugely. If they were wise and just, the country prospered in safety. If they imposed heavy taxes, the country paid. If they chose war, the country gave up its men. In ancient times, nations often called their kings gods. + 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, + But salvation belongs to Jehovah.Proverbs 21:1 – “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water He turns it wherever He wishes.” * + 30 There is no wisdom, nor discernment, nor counsel in opposition to Jehovah. * 29 The wicked man puts on a bold face, + But it is the upright one whose course is sure. + How much more when he offers it with evil intent! * 28 A lying witness will perish, + But the man who listens will testify with success. + 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable. + 26 All day long he greedily craves, But the righteous one gives, holding nothing back. + 25 What the lazy man craves will put him to death, For his hands refuse to work. + 24 A presumptuous, arrogant braggart is what you call The man who acts with reckless presumptuousness. + 23 The one guarding his mouth and his tongue Keeps himself * out of trouble. + 22 A wise man can scale * the city of the mighty And undermine the strength in which they trust. + 21 Whoever pursues righteousness and loyal love Will find life, righteousness, and glory. + 20 Precious treasure and oil are found in the house of the wise, + But the stupid man will squander * what he has. + 19 Better to dwell in the wilderness Than with a quarrelsome * and irritable wife. 18 The wicked one is a ransom for the righteous one, And the treacherous one will be taken in place of the upright. + 17 The one who loves having a good time * will come to poverty + The one who loves wine and oil will not grow rich. 16 The man who strays from the way of insight Will rest in the company of those powerless in death. 15 It is a joy for the righteous one to act with justice, + But it is something terrible to those who practice evil. + 14 A secret gift subdues anger, + And a hidden bribe, * fierce rage.
+ 13 Whoever stops up his ear to the cry of the lowly one Will himself call and not be answered. * + 12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked one He overthrows the wicked to their ruin. + 11 When a ridiculer is punished, the inexperienced become wiser, And when a wise person receives insight, he gains knowledge. + 10 The wicked man * craves what is bad + He shows no favor toward his neighbor. + 9 Better to dwell on a corner of the roof Than in the same house with a quarrelsome * wife. 8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, But the activity of the pure man is upright. * + 7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, + For they refuse to act with justice. + 6 Gaining treasures by a lying tongue Is like a vanishing mist, a deadly snare. + 5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to success, * + But all who are hasty surely head for poverty. + 4 Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart -The lamp that guides the wicked is sin. * + 3 To do what is right and just Is more pleasing to Jehovah than a sacrifice. + 2 All of a man’s ways seem right to him, + But Jehovah examines the hearts. 21 A king’s heart is like streams of water in Jehovah’s hand.
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