Both to himself, by his foolish management of the kings affairs committed to him; and to the king, who made so foolish a choice of a servant.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

35. wisediscreet or prudent.

causeth shame (Pro 10:5;Pro 12:4) acts basely.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

The king’s favour [is] toward a wise servant,…. Who does his prince’s business well, committed to him; manages all his affairs wisely and prudently; is diligent and careful to do everything for the king’s honour, and the good of his subjects; such an one has a share in royal favour, a place in the affections of his master; and is sure to be promoted to honour by him, and exalted to higher places of trust and profit, as well as to be protected and defended by him: so Christ, the King of kings, shows favour to his wise and faithful servants,

Lu 12:42;

but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame; who neglects his business, or does it foolishly; in such a manner as his prince is ashamed of him, and which brings shame and disgrace to himself; all which provokes the anger of his master, who discharges him from his service, and this fixes a mark of infamy upon him; see Lu 12:45.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

35 The king’s favour is towards a prudent servant,

And his wrath visits the base.

Regarding the contrasts and , vid., at Pro 10:5; cf. Pro 12:4. The substantival clause 35a may mean: the king’s favour has (possesses)…, as well as: it is imparted to, an intelligent servant; the arrangement of the words is more favourable to the latter rendering. In 35b the gender of the verb is determined by attraction after the pred., as is the case also at Gen 31:8; Job 15:31, Ewald, 317c. And “his wrath” is equivalent to is the object of it, cf. 22b, Pro 13:18. The syntactical character of the clause does not permit the supplying of from 35a. Luther’s translation proceeds only apparently from this erroneous supposition.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

      35 The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

      This shows that in a well-ordered court and government smiles and favours are dispensed among those that are employed in public trusts according to their merits; Solomon lets them know he will go by that rule, 1. That those who behave themselves wisely shall be respected and preferred, whatever enemies they may have that seek to undermine them. No man’s services shall be neglected to please a party or a favourite. 2. That those who are selfish and false, who betray their country, oppress the poor, and sow discord, and thus cause shame, shall be displaced and banished the court, whatever friends they may make to speak for them.

Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

Wisdom Or Folly

Verse 35 declares that a servant, person or employee, who exercises wisdom in performing his required duties will incur the favor of his superior; but those who bring shame upon him will receive his displeasure, Pro 22:29.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

CRITICAL NOTES.

Pro. 14:35. Miller reads, The kindness of a king is a wise servant, but his wrath becomes one that bringeth shame (See his comments).

MAIN HOMILETICS ON Pro. 14:35

A WISE SERVANT

In this verse we adopt Millers translation as being the more probable meaning. See Critical Notes and also his Comment.

I. The law of kindness is a law of power. Whether a man be the ruler of a nation or the ruler of a family, if he would acquire real power over those whom he rules, he must obey this law himself. Human nature is in a fallen condition, and it cannot be lifted into a state of obedience even to wise and good laws except they are enforced in a spirit of kindness. Kindness will bind men to loyal devotion with a far firmer chain than any force. There is, indeed, no principle in obedience to the latter; it rules only the bodily actions, and is powerless over the heart. Those who desire more than the service of half the man must issue their commandsmust exercise their authorityin the spirit of mercy. The king, the master or the father, who is a despot, is only obeyed because he has power to punish. Consequently the obedience will only last as long as the power. This is a thought which parents especially should lay to heart.

II. The law of kindness is a law of policy. He who rules to-day may one day be at the mercy of him whom he rules. Kings have often needed favour of their subjectsthe master has often been at the mercy of his servant; and what has happened before will happen again in the changes and chances of life, and those who have shown mercy will be the most likely at such times to receive it. With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (Mat. 7:2) holds good in this case. Therefore, the kindness of a king is a wise servant; but his wrath becomes one that bringeth shame. For remarks on the text as rendered in the authorised version, see below.

OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS

Solomon gets back to his king-craft. These maxims were familiar to him. It is rarely wise for a king to get in a passion with his people (see Pro. 14:29-30). If thou wilt be a servant unto this people was said to the successor of this very man (1Ki. 12:7); if thou wilt answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But, more than king-craft, it is a rule for saints. The law of kindness should be on our lips. The power of gentleness is irresistible. If the mercy for nations is the sin-offering (see last verse), then we are all sinners together, and modesty forbids that we should go among the lost with anything but tenderness. The English version is due to the presence of a preposition. The kings favour is towards a wise servant. But that preposition becomes idiomatic in certain cases. I say, I want such a thing for a shelter. The kindness of a king is for a wise servant, i.e., serves as one. There is no preposition before the words brings shame; but, on the contrary, the word is is written out, and, as usual in that case, means becomes; all of which state of facts is in favour of our new version.Miller.

These words state what ought to be. No one ought to be the king or the queens servant who is not wise; and toward every such wise servant the royal favour should be specially extended. And who is a wise servant? Not a servant who flatters royal vanity; accommodates itself to royal foibles; indulges royal prejudices; chimes in with royal caprices; tolerates and connives at royal vices, whether personal or official. No; a wise servant must be a servant of conscientious principle, and of bland but unflinching fidelity. He is one who gives prudent and faithful counsel; who speaks truth as he thinks it in his heart; whose counsels are dictated by a right understanding of the times, and knowledge of what such times require, not by a wish to ingratiate the minister with the prince, and so to promote his own personal advantage, but by the principles of genuine patriotism as well as loyalty. That servant causeth shame by whom that is encouraged from which reproach ariseswho gives counsel to his prince which must prove either prejudicial or abortive; such as can hardly fail to render him unpopular with his subjects, and expose him, by their failure, to the derision of foreign statesa derision in which the kingdom as well as the throne, the people as well as the monarch, are involved.Wardlaw.

Thus it is with the great King. All of us are His servants, bound to Him by the highest obligations; animated by the most glowing encouragements (1Co. 6:19-20; Mat. 24:44-46; Mat. 25:21-23). All of us have our responsibilities, our talents, our work, our account. Towards the faithful and wise servant, who has traded with his talents, who has been diligent in his work, and who is ready for his accountHis favour will be infinitely condescending and honourable (Joh. 12:26). But against him that causeth shamereflecting upon his Master, neglectful in his work, unprepared for his accountHis wrath will be tremendous and eternal.Bridges.

Surely well is favour bestowed, where it reflecteth unto the givers honour: worthily is favour received, where wisdoms hands are the receivers of it.Jermin.

Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell

35. Wise Discreet.

His wrath Indignation.

Causeth shame Or, acteth shamefully. A discreet minister of state obtains the favour of his prince; but one who disgraces himself and his principal or government excites great indignation. Miller renders: “The kindness of the king is a wise servant, that is, serves him wisely and well. The power of gentleness is irresistible.” For an illustration of the opposite, see 1Ki 12:7, et seq.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments