Proverbs 25:22

heap coals of fire upon his head i.e. take the most effectual vengeance upon him. It is best to take the expression both here, and in the Epistle to the Romans, where it is quoted, in the simplest sense of taking vengeance, expressed by a familiar figure (Psalms 120:4; Psalms 140:10), without carrying out the figure into any idea of the effect upon your enemy, whether for good or for evil, of your conduct: q.d. your natural desire is to be avenged, let this -feeding him" and -giving him drink" be the effective form of vengeance which you adopt. And as an incentive remember that in doing him good you will bring a blessing upon yourself: "the Lord shall reward thee." The proverb thus belongs by anticipation to the highest sphere of moral teaching, Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:20.