“By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.”
It is not insignificant that in every version (at least the ones I read) the writer refers to the leader who leads justly as a king and the one who is greedy as a man. Theologians have for centuries concluded that Solomon considered the second type person not worthy of being called a king. He had such disdain for a person who would take bribes at the expense of righteousness and justice. The truth of this verse runs into what Jesus brother James wrote about in the New Testament. He gave a hard rebuke to God’s followers who would show favoritism to those of means who could offer them “things”. He specifically addresses those in the church favored because they had the ability to fund projects and budgets. I remember pastoring a small country church and one of the Deacons taking me aside and telling me of a certain woman whose husband was a very successful farmer. He said she would always sit in the same seat, expect the preacher to notice her, compliment her outfit and mention her by name fondly. I told him I wasn’t inclined to do that out of duty although it may occur since my natural style was that type of interaction anyway. He said it could effect their giving. Ultimately I didn’t comply. Even though I was young I just didn’t want to be that kind of person. Their giving went up. One day she caught me and thanked me for not putting her on display every Sunday the way previous pastors had. Today recognize the image of the Creator in every person and treat them with that in mind. #BeTheEdge
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” Philippians 2:3 NIV
