What does Proverbs 25:5 mean?

The prior verse (Proverbs 25:4) used the analogy of refining silver. That sets up the lesson given here. "Dross" is the collection of impurities removed when precious metals are heated. This results in a cleaner, better metal and a superior finished product. Here the analogy is applied to the "substance" of the influence placed on a king. Wicked counselors and associates should be removed from a ruler's circle (Proverbs 13:20) so he can rule righteously. This idea echoes Proverbs 16:12: "It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness." Godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) rejects evil and sin (Proverbs 17:3), and a good king listens to wise advisors (Proverbs 14:35; 16:13).

Someday Jesus will rule the earth in righteousness. Before He establishes His righteous reign, He will remove the dross—in that context meaning the wicked—from the earth. Psalm 119:119 says, "All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross." Psalm 101:8 reads: "Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD." Isaiah 9:7 prophesies of Jesus, "Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this."