Proverbs 18:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

NIV: In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

NASB: The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

CSB: The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

NLT: The first to speak in court sounds right — until the cross-examination begins.

KJV: He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

NKJV: The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

As a wise judge, Solomon remarks on the importance of "due diligence." A person needs to hear both sides of a case before rendering a decision. Many claims and accusations seem plausible until scrutinized. What seems obvious, at first, may fall apart when looked at with a more critical eye. Of course, it might also prove true. This principle is extremely important—not only in daily life, but in spiritual matters. The Bible doesn't just endorse cautious skepticism (Acts 17:11), it commands it (2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 4:1; Galatians 1:8).

Daily life is full of examples proving the wisdom of this proverb. Friends, neighbors, or coworkers might make accusations against each other, telling only one side of the story. But a person needs to hear from others involved, or at least learn all the relevant facts, before attempting to declare who is telling the truth. In the case of bickering church members, the same need for discernment applies. A church member may complain to the pastor about another member, but the pastor must hear from the accused before drawing a conclusion. A person may be very persuasive until his accuser tells his side of the story.

In a famous incident, Solomon demonstrated a creative method of seeking more information. He showed good judgment in the case of two women, each claiming to be the mother of the same infant. Solomon's ploy was to suggest the baby be cut in half, with half given to each woman. The real mother strongly objected, while the other was willing. This made it clear which was the real mother and which was acting in spite. After "examining" the two claims, it was obvious who was the baby's real mother (1 Kings 3:16–27).

Proverbs 18:16–24 provides practical advice on a variety of matters. Other proverbs in this chapter are echoed in statements about objectivity and unity. Solomon addresses areas such as bribery, quarrels, reconciliation, the power of speech, marriage, and an unfortunate difference between the poor and the rich. The last remark in the section notes the difference between quality and quantity in friendships.

This segment of Solomon's wise sayings includes several well-known and often-repeated remarks. Among these are references to God's "name" as a place of safety, the connection between pride and catastrophe, the value of a godly spouse, and the intimate loyalty of a good friend. As in other parts of the book of Proverbs, these teachings are tied to warnings about the consequences of poor decisions.

Chapter 18 continues a long string of wise sayings attributed to Solomon. These began in chapter 10 and will continue through chapter 22. This section contains numerous references to fair-mindedness and seeking out truth from multiple sources. Diligent responsibility—in words, actions, and beliefs—is a notable emphasis in this segment.

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.