Chapter 17
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Overview
Solomon continues with proverbs touching on family relationships, friendship, and the use of words. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. The chapter warns against mocking the poor, rejoicing at calamity, and returning evil for good, while commending the restraint of words as a mark of understanding.
Key Themes
Faithful Friendship
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity — true friendship is proven not in ease but in hardship and affliction.
The Healing Power of Joy
A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones — inner joy or sorrow profoundly affects physical and spiritual health.
Restraint in Speech
He that has knowledge spares his words, and even a fool who holds his peace is counted wise — restraint of the tongue is a mark of true understanding.
Study Questions
What does it mean that 'a friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity' (v. 17)? How does hardship reveal the quality of our friendships?
How does the proverb 'a merry heart doeth good like a medicine' (v. 22) connect spiritual and physical well-being?
Why does Solomon say 'even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise' (v. 28)? What does this teach about the power of silence?
What is the significance of the warning against returning evil for good (v. 13) — that evil shall not depart from such a person's house?
How does verse 3 — 'the fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts' — use metallurgy to describe God's refining work?
Connection to Christ
Jesus is the friend who loves at all times and the brother born for our adversity. He entered into the furnace of affliction on our behalf and was proven pure. His joy, set before Him on the cross, is the medicine that heals the brokenhearted. He never returned evil for evil but blessed those who cursed Him and prayed for those who despitefully used Him.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Proverbs 17. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?