Proverbs 25:2

It is the glory of God ¹  to conceal ²  a matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.

God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.

It is the glory of God to keep a thing secret: but the glory of kings is to have it searched out.

It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

It is the glory of God ¹  to conceal ²  a matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.

¹ sn The proverb provides a contrast between God and the king, and therein is the clue to the range of application involved. The interest of the king is ruling or administering his government; and so the subject matter is a contrast to the way God rules his kingdom.

² sn The two infinitives form the heart of the contrast – “to conceal a matter” and “to search out a matter.” God’s government of the universe is beyond human understanding – humans cannot begin to fathom the intentions and operations of it. But it is the glory of kings to search out matters and make them intelligible to the people. Human government cannot claim divine secrecy; kings have to study and investigate everything before making a decision, even divine government as far as possible. But kings who rule as God’s representatives must also try to represent his will in human affairs – they must even inquire after God to find his will. This is their glorious nature and responsibility. For more general information on vv. 2-27, see G. E. Bryce, “Another Wisdom ‘Book’ in Proverbs,” JBL 91 (1972): 145-57.