Proverbs 16:15

In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. IN THE LIGHT OF THE KING'S COUNTENANCE (IS) LIFE - as there is in the light of the sun beaming on the vegetable and animal world, in contrast to the "death" that is in his "wrath" (Proverbs 16:14). This is fully true only of the Sun of Righteousness (Psalms 4:6; Psalms 44:3; Malachi 4:2). AND HIS FAVOUR (IS) AS A CLOUD OF THE LATTER RAIN (Hebrew, malqowsh (H4456)) - which brings the vernal shower to the...

The “latter rain” is that which falls in March or April just before the harvest. The “cloud” which brings it, immediately screening people from the scorching sun, and bringing plenty and blessing, is a fit type of the highest favor....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 16:1 These are specially religions maxims, and they all contain the name Jehovah. PROVERBS 16:1 The Authorized Version makes one sentence of this verse without any contrast or antithesis. This is plainly wrong, there being intended a contrast between the thought of the heart and the well ordered speech. It is better translated, _The plans of the heart are man_'_s_:_ but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah. _Men make plans, arrange speeches, muster arguments, in the mind; but to put these into proper, persuasive words is a gift of God. "Our sufficiency is of God" (2 Corinthians 3:5). In the case of

IN THE LIGHT OF THE KING'S COUNTENANCE [IS] LIFE,.... When he looks with a pleasant smiling countenance on a person that has been under his displeasure, and especially if under a sentence of death, it is as life from the dead: so the light of the countenance of God, the King of kings; the discoveries of his love, the manifestations of himself, his gracious presence, communion with him, the comforts of his Spirit, the joys of his salvation, are life unto his people, invigorate their graces, quicken their souls, and make them cheerful; see Psalms 30:5. And how delightful and pleasant is the countenance of Christ; which is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars; and is as the sun when it shineth in its strength; and who himself is the sun of righteousness, that arises on his people with healing in his wings! How reviving his love! how comfortable fellowship with him! his absence is as

CHAPTER 16 IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD The name Jehovah (LORD) appears eleven times in this chapter of Proverbs. The Lord has the final word, for to man belong the preparations (or plans) of the heart; but from the LORD is the answer of the tongue. It is the same thought as in our English proverb--“Man proposes--God disposes.” Man loves to justify himself, his ways are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits; He is the judge of ways and motives. Our works are to be committed (literal: rolled upon) unto the LORD, then establishment and blessing will follow. It is strange that these three verses were omitted in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament. The LORD hath made all things for Himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil Proverbs 16:4. Much error has been taught in connection with this verse. Some have taught that God made some wicked. It is not said

PROVERBS 16. The special feature is a group of aphorisms (Proverbs 16:10) relating to kings. The sentiments seem rather to reflect the picture of the ideal king than to indicate any particular period. The metaphors employed and the character depicted suggest a parallel with the ideal king of Psalms 72. PROVERBS 16:4. The lit. rendering of Proverbs 16:4 a is Yahweh has made every work for its answer_ i.e._ the nexus of cause and effect seen in the moral government of the world is His work, a kind of prearranged harmony. The supreme instance is the case of the wicked, their answer is the day of evil. We have an assertion of the righteousness of Yahweh's government rather than of their predestinati

CLOUD. heavy cloud, &c. Specially valuable, falling just before harvest....

_the latter rain_ i.e. the spring rain, which swelled and matured the corn for harvest, just as the "former" or autumn rain prepared the ground, after the drought of summer, for the sowing. Such a cloud was big with the double blessing of the fertilizing shower and the consequent harvest. Comp. the description by "The sweet Psalmist of Israel": "One that ruleth over men righteously, That ruleth in the fear of God, He shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth, A morning without clouds; When the tender grass springeth out of the earth, Through clear shining after rain." 2 Samuel 23:3-4, R.V. And again: "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, As showers that water the earth." Psalms 72:6....

THE LATTER RAIN— See Deuteronomy 11:14 and Joel 2:23....

TEXT Proverbs 16:12-22 12. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness. 13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right. 14. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it. 15. In the light of the king's countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain. 16. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver. 17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18. Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19. Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divid