Proverbs 21

21:1 A king was the most powerful individual in an ancient nation, and it seemed that he could do as he pleased. However, God directs the heart of the king.

21:2 This proverb is repeated almost verbatim in 16:2.

21:3 God is not pleased with worship unless godly actions flow from a godly heart (see Ps 40:6-8; Mic 6:6-8).

21:4 Demeanor (eyes), character (heart), and actions are all significant. God hates pride (see 6:17-18; 11:2; 13:10; 15:33; 16:18; 18:12).

21:8 The crooked path of foolishness ends with death; the straight road of wisdom leads to life.

21:9 // 25:24 A marriage that looks good on the outside (in a lovely home) is unrewarding if it is filled with quarrels (see also 21:19; 25:24; 27:15-17; cp. 11:22; 12:4b).

21:10 Evil people do not just act evil; they are evil. No appeal will persuade them to act otherwise.

21:11 The simpleminded learn by seeing a mocker punished (see 1:22; 19:25). The wise do not need the threat of punishment because they already desire wisdom.

21:12 The Righteous One: God sees what the wicked do in the privacy of their homes and will punish them for their sins. Alternatively, the Righteous One might refer to the insight of any righteous individual.

21:15 God is just, so he will reward the innocent and punish the wicked. No wonder the godly love justice while the wicked fear it.

21:16 Those who have common sense can avoid life’s dangers.

21:17 The expenses of wine and luxury prevent people from amassing their resources—they spend rather than save.

21:18 The wicked will fall prey to the traps they set for others (26:27; see also 11:8).

21:19 It’s better to live alone: Cp. 21:9; 25:24.

21:20 See also 3:9-10, 15-16; 10:15, 16, 22; 14:24.

21:21 Righteousness and unfailing love are character traits associated with Israel’s covenant with God (see Exod 34:5-7; Deut 7:9-11). The covenant promised life and honor to those who obeyed God’s law (Deut 28:1-14).

21:22 A wise military strategist can devise ways to defeat stronger forces. This makes wisdom superior to raw power (cp. Eccl 7:12; 9:13-18).

21:24 Mockers: See 1:25-27; 9:7-9. Also see study note on 1:22.

21:26 Generosity is a trait of the godly, while stinginess is characteristic of fools (29:7, 14). Paradoxically, the more you give, the more you get (11:24).

21:30-31 Human wisdom is impotent if it stands against the Lord (see 16:1, 3, 9, 33). Similarly, military power (represented by the horse) is impotent without the Lord’s blessing.