INTRODUCTION:  This chapter reproves the fool, the talebearer, and the sluggard.

1. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
1. Three things are not suitable, proper, or fitting (the meaning of seemly ):
1. Snow in summer
2. Rain in harvest
3. That a fool be given honor
2. Fools in the Bible who received honor:
1. Abimelech (Judges 9:6-20 [6] And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem. [7] And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. [8] The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. [9] But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? [10] And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. [11] But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? [12] Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. [13] And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? [14] Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. [15] And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. [16] Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands; [17] (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian: [18] And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) [19] If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: [20] But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
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2. Haman (Esther 3:1-2 [1] After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. [2] And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
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2. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
1. We have nothing to fear:
1. From a wandering bird
2. From a flying sparrow
3. From a causeless curse
2. What is a causeless curse?
1. A curse is a calling down of evil on someone or something
2. It is causeless:
1. If God has not made it (Numbers 23:8How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?
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2. If it is not backed by the word of God (Galatians 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
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3. If it opposes God’s blessing (Psalm 109:28Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.
   See All...; Proverbs 3:33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
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3. Causeless curses come from fools and may be safely ignored
3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
1. A fool rejects reason and understands only force (Proverbs 10:13In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
   See All...; Proverbs 17:10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
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4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
1. These two verses give opposite commands, but in different circumstances
2. The question is whether or not it is wise to respond to the foolish statements made by a fool. It depends on the particular situation.
3. If answering the fool will make you just like him, answer him not
1. If the ranting is so outrageous that you must rant like him in order to answer him
2. If the spirit is so full of wrath and anger that you cannot answer except by become like the fool
4. If refusing to answer the fool leaves him confident that you have no answer and that he is wise, then you may need to respond
5. These two considerations play off one another and each situation must be judged on its own merits
6. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
1. We should never send a message by the hand of a fool
2. It is like cutting off the feet
1. If we had no feet, we could not carry the message
2. If a fool carries the message, it may never arrive
3. It is like drinking damage
1. If we drink damage, we would be sick from the poison
2. If a fool carries our message, he may deliver it in such a way that it causes harm to us
7. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
1. A lame man may have one strong leg and one weak or useless one. The mix of strength and weakness causes a limp and impedes progress.
2. A parable spoken by fools is a mix of strong and weak. He may say one good thing and then confuse the whole by adding something totally irrelevant. His comparisons and metaphors will not match or agree within the parable. Those listening will be left in confusion.
8. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
1. He that ties a stone into a sling
1. Accomplishes nothing because the stone will not fire out of the sling
2. May hurt himself when he tries to release the stone
2. He that gives honor to a fool
1. Accomplishes nothing
2. May hurt himself
9. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
1. The senses of a drunkard are so deadened that he will not feel a thorn going into his hand
2. The senses of a fool are so deadened that he will not know how much he has messed up his parable
10. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
1. We know that God got all things started
2. We can trust that God will finish all thing in the end
1. Rewarding the fool
2. Rewarding the transgressors
11. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
1. A dog will return to eat his own vomit
2. A fool may seem to throw off some of his perversion only to return to it later. This proves that he is a fool (2 Peter 2:22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
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12. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
1. A conceit is a thought or a personal opinion, especially an exaggerated opinion of oneself
2. The Bible refers to those who are wise in their own conceits six times (Proverbs 26:5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
   See All..., 12, 16; Proverbs 28:11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
   See All...; Romans 11:25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
   See All...; Romans 12:16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
   See All...). Compare those who are wise in their own eyes (Proverbs 3:7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
   See All...; Isaiah 5:21Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
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1. A fool may become wise in his own conceits (Proverbs 26:5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
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2. A sluggard is wise in his own conceits (Proverbs 26:16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
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3. The rich man is wise in his own conceit (Proverbs 28:11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
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4. The Christian is commanded not to be wise in his conceit (Romans 12:16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
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3. A fool has a greater chance of godly reform than the man who is wise in his own conceit
13. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
1. The lazy man imagines dangers and hindrances that do not exist. He worries that the rain will come or the wind will blow (Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 [3] If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. [4] He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
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14. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
1. The slothful man stays in bed, turning back and forth as a door on its hinges.
15. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
1. The slothful man is so lazy that he will hide his hand in his clothing.
2. Then, he suffers grief if he has to bring it out to put food in his mouth
3. The slothful complain over the smallest duties
16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
1. Laziness creates its own reasoning; a reasoning that listens to nothing else. Elaborate excuses flows from the mind and mouth of the sluggard. Reasons for not doing anything come so quickly that seven men could not keep pace in answering them.
17. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
1. If you take a dog by the ears:
1. You make him angry
2. You are not able to do anything else
3. When you let him go, he will attack you
2. When you meddle in strife not belonging to you:
1. Both parties are likely to be angry with you
2. You get involved in a seemingly endless process
3. You are likely to get attacked yourself
18. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19. So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
1. The mad man is one who is crazy and out of control. David pretended to be a mad man in 1 Samuel 21:12-15 [12] And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. [13] And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. [14] Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? [15] Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
   See All.... Here, the mad man is also dangerous and destructive.
2. Solomon compares the dangerous mad man to the man who plays practical jokes on his neighbor.
1. He deceives him
2. Then he claims he was just making sport – It was just a joke.
3. Compare this with the command against foolish talking or jesting, which are not convenient (Ephesians 5:4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
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20. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
1. Strife (fighting, contention) is compared to a burning fire
2. The wood that keeps the fire going is:
1. The talebearer – the person who spreads stories from one person to the next
2. The contentious man – the person who disputes and quarrels with others
3. Without those who act as wood, the fire of strife would go out on its own
22. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
1. Not only do words hurt; they hurt to the innermost parts of the person. They hurt where the wound cannot be seen.
23. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
1. A potsherd is a broken piece of pottery. It has sharp edges that can be used for scraping (Job 2:8And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
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2. Silver dross adds a thin shiny covering to the worthless potsherd
3. In like manner, those with burning lips that express the perversities of a wicked heart hide their true nature with a covering of shiny dross
24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
1. To dissemble means to pretend to be something you are not (Jeremiah 42:20For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.
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2. The hearts of those mentioned here are full of hatred (Jeremiah 42:24
   See All..., 26), wickedness (Jeremiah 42:26
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3. But they cover up their wickedness with deceit (Jeremiah 42:24
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1. As Cain spoke to Abel in the field (Genesis 4:8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
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2. As Saul spoke to David concerning Michal (1 Samuel 18:22-25 [22] And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law. [23] And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed? [24] And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David. [25] And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
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3. As Joab spoke to Abner at Hebron (2 Samuel 3:26-27 [26] And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. [27] And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
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4. As David’s betrayer spoke to him (Psalm 55:21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
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4. They speak fair words (verse 25).
1. Good words and fair speeches (Romans 16:18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
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2. Enticing words (Colossians 2:4And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
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3. Feigned words (2 Peter 2:3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
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4. Great swelling words of vanity (2 Peter 2:18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
   See All...; Jude 1:16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
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27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
1. The method by which you attempt to destroy others will eventually be used to destroy you (Proverbs 1:18-19 [18] And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. [19] So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
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28. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
1. Lying about someone is an act of hatred toward that person
2. Flattery leads others to absolute ruin
1. It draws the simple into adultery and fornication (Proverbs 6:24To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
   See All...; Proverbs 7:5That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
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2. It spreads a net for those who listen to it (Proverbs 29:5A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
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