Trinity/After Pentecost · The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Proverbs 25:6-14
More Proverbs of Solomon
September 27, 2026

Overview & Insights
“It is better to be told, ‘Come up here,’ than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.” (Proverbs 25:7)
These chapters are introduced by a superscription indicating that they are from Solomon by way of the “men of Hezekiah.” The sayings break from the admonitory style of 22:17–24:34 and resemble those of chapters 10–22:16. However, these sayings are much more vivid, and in chapters 25–27 they form larger units (“proverb poems,” as they have been called). Explicit comparisons are frequent. We are unable to say much about the general setting of the collection, but the ambience of the court predominates in chapters 25–27. The characteristic sound patterns (assonance, alliteration, catchwords, etc.) mark this collection just as they did the previous chapters. For the sake of brevity these patterns will not be emphasized here, but the reader is referred to the studies of McCreesh, Sound (index), and for chapters 25–27 in particular, R. Van Leeuwen, Context and Meaning in Proverbs 25–27 (Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1988).
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Proverbs 25 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik on taking the lower place before the king and the proverbs on restraint and fitting words.
Proverbs 25:6 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators from the start of the reading on not exalting yourself in the king's presence.
Background & Word Study
Proverbs Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the shape and the wisdom tradition of Proverbs.
Overview: Proverbs BibleProject
An animated overview of Proverbs and its way of wisdom.
Proverbs and Work Theology of Work
A background essay on the practical wisdom of Proverbs for daily conduct, speech and relationships.
Proverbs 25:6 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word by word for the reading, useful for the court imagery of honor and the lower place.
Proverbs 25 Sefaria
The Hebrew text with Jewish commentaries for this chapter of the Hezekiah collection.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does Proverbs 25 counsel?
Do not exalt yourself before the king or claim a place among the great; humility, patience, and a word fitly spoken are the wisdom the passage commends (Proverbs 25:6–14).
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Luke 14:1-11
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.