Proverbs 20:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

NIV: Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.

NASB: Loyalty and truth watch over the king, And he upholds his throne by loyalty.

CSB: Loyalty and faithfulness guard a king; through loyalty he maintains his throne.

NLT: Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.

KJV: Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

NKJV: Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.

All proverbs, biblical or otherwise, are general statements. They are intended as short summaries of wisdom, and not meant to be taken as absolute rules. In this case, Solomon (Proverbs 10:1) notes that caring, faithful leaders inspire loyalty in their people. A king who is just (Proverbs 20:26) and good to his people (Proverbs 29:2) will typically be rewarded by a nation who loves and defends their king. While it's possible for good leaders to be unfairly attacked, or evil leaders to cling to power, the expected pattern is for good leaders to inspire happy, devoted followers.

The history of Judah and Israel shows what happens when kings either reign in righteousness or digress from God's standards of love and faithfulness. In 721 BC, Israel, the northern kingdom, fell to the Assyrians because it lacked good kings and the nation dishonored God. However, the southern kingdom, Judah, lasted until 586 BC because it had some good kings and periods of revival. God places rulers in authority for the people's good, but He can remove those rulers at His discretion. Psalm 75:7 says, "It is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another."

Proverbs 20:12–30 touches on a variety of subjects as Solomon (Proverbs 10:1) wisely observes what is right and what is wrong. He censures deceit and dishonest gain but commends honesty, love, and loyalty. This section also includes common sense reminders about topics like business and hastiness.

In this section of Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 10:1), he again discusses a wide range of subjects. These echo many of the common themes of the book of Proverbs. Solomon warns against foolishness (Proverbs 1:7), hastiness, angering authorities, and the consequences of sin and dishonesty. Several references condemn dishonest business dealings. Others note the value of diligence in making decisions.

This chapter of Proverbs belongs to the second division of the book that extends from Proverbs chapter 10 to chapter 22, in which there are nearly 400 wise sayings. Proverbs 20 continues the collection of Solomon's wise sayings. In this chapter Solomon focuses on numerous things which harm the unwise. Among them are laziness, wrong values, and bad decisions.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.