◄ Proverbs 22:29 ►
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
Study Bible
Do you see
This phrase invites the reader to observe and reflect. In Hebrew, the word for "see" is "ra'ah," which means to perceive or consider. It suggests an active engagement with the world, encouraging believers to be attentive to the qualities and virtues that lead to success and honor. This call to observation is a reminder of the importance of discernment in the Christian life.

a man skilled
The Hebrew word for "skilled" is "mahir," which implies proficiency, expertise, and diligence. This term underscores the value of developing one's talents and abilities. From a biblical perspective, skill is not merely a natural gift but a cultivated attribute that reflects God's creative work in us. It encourages believers to pursue excellence in their vocations as a form of worship and service to God.

in his work
The phrase "in his work" highlights the importance of vocation and labor. The Hebrew word "melakah" refers to occupation, craftsmanship, or business. This emphasizes that all work, when done with integrity and dedication, is honorable and can be a means of glorifying God. It challenges the believer to view their daily tasks as opportunities to serve God and others.

He will be stationed
The word "stationed" suggests a position of honor and stability. In Hebrew, "yatsab" means to stand firm or be established. This implies that those who are diligent and skilled in their work will find themselves in positions of influence and respect. It is a promise of divine favor and recognition for those who faithfully steward their gifts.

in the presence of kings
This phrase signifies access to power and authority. In ancient times, being in the presence of a king was a mark of high honor and privilege. The Hebrew word "melekh" for "kings" denotes rulers or leaders. This suggests that God rewards diligence and skill with opportunities to influence and impact society at the highest levels. It encourages believers to aspire to positions where they can effect positive change.

he will not stand before obscure men
The contrast here is between standing before "kings" and "obscure men." The Hebrew word for "obscure" is "chashok," meaning dark or insignificant. This implies that those who are diligent and skilled will not be relegated to obscurity or insignificance. Instead, their work will be recognized and valued. It serves as a motivation for believers to pursue excellence, knowing that God sees and rewards their efforts.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Skilled Worker
The verse highlights a person who is diligent and proficient in their work. This individual is characterized by excellence and dedication.

2. Kings
Symbolic of authority and high status, kings represent those in positions of power and influence. Standing before kings implies recognition and honor.

3. Obscure Men
These are individuals who lack influence or recognition. The contrast with kings emphasizes the reward of diligence and skill.
Teaching Points
The Value of Skill and Diligence
God values skill and diligence in our work. As Christians, we are called to work as if serving the Lord, which means striving for excellence in all we do.

Recognition and Influence
When we are diligent and skilled, we gain opportunities for influence and recognition. This can open doors to share our faith and values with those in authority.

Contrast of Outcomes
The verse contrasts the outcomes of diligence versus mediocrity. It serves as a reminder that our efforts and skills can lead to significant opportunities.

Biblical Work Ethic
A biblical work ethic involves integrity, diligence, and skill. As we develop these qualities, we reflect God's character and bring glory to Him through our work.

Preparation for Greater Responsibility
Being skilled in our work prepares us for greater responsibilities. As we prove faithful in small things, God entrusts us with more.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of standing before kings apply to your current work or responsibilities?

2. In what ways can you develop your skills to align with the biblical principle of diligence?

3. How does the contrast between standing before kings and obscure men challenge your current approach to work?

4. What other biblical examples illustrate the rewards of diligence and skill?

5. How can you use your skills and influence to further God's kingdom in your workplace or community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 12:24
This verse speaks about the diligent ruling, which complements the idea that skill and hard work lead to positions of influence.

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Encourages doing whatever your hand finds to do with all your might, reinforcing the call to diligence and excellence in work.

Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Talents illustrates the importance of using one's skills and resources wisely, leading to greater responsibility and reward.
Sermons
Diligence Brings Success in LifeLord Wolseley.Proverbs 22:29
The Bible Ideal of ManL. D. Bevan, D.D.Proverbs 22:29
Right in Social RelationsE. Johnson Proverbs 22:22-29
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Business, Diligent, Expert, Hast, Kings, Low, Mean, Obscure, Persons, Seest, Serve, Skilful, Skilled, Speedy, Stand, Station, Stations, Won't
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 22:29

     5523   servants, good

Library
The Rich and the Poor
Chapel Royal, Whitehall, 1871. Proverbs xxii. 2. "The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all." I have been asked to preach here this afternoon on behalf of the Parochial Mission Women's Fund. I may best describe the object for which I plead, as an attempt to civilise and Christianise the women of the lower classes in the poorer districts of London and other great towns, by means of women of their own class--women, who have gone through the same struggles as they have, …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

One Lion Two Lions no Lion at All
A sermon (No. 1670) delivered on Thursday Evening, June 8th, 1882, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets."--Proverbs 22:13. "The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets."--Proverbs 26:13. This slothful man seems to cherish that one dread of his about the lions, as if it were his favorite aversion and he felt it to be too much trouble to invent another excuse. …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Formation of Habits.
School Sermon. Proverbs xxii. 6. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." INTRODUCTION.--There is a district, high up in the Black Forest, where the ground is full of springs. It is a plain some nine hundred feet above the sea. Thousands upon thousands of little springs gush out of the soil; you seem to be on the rose of a vast watering-can. Now, from this great source flow a good many rivers, and they flow in very different, nay, opposite directions. …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

The Christian Business World
Scripture references: Proverbs 22:29; Romans 12:11; Psalms 24:1; 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8; Psalm 49:6,10,16,17; 62:10; Matthew 13:22; Mark 10:23,24; Job 31:24-26; Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 25:14-30; 24:45-51; 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21. THE IDEAL IN THE BUSINESS WORLD There is often a wide difference between the methods actually employed in doing business and when they should be. Good men who are in the thick of the battle of competition and rivalry with other firms in the same line of trade, are the quickest …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Philip and the Emperor
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.--Prov. xxii. 29. Kallias stayed a fortnight under the hospitable roof of Olympias, and during those days he had the pleasure of seeing how greatly his honest and genial simplicity brightened the thoughts both of his hostess and of his friend. The general outline of his own future seemed now to be approximately settled. Like Philip, he had acquired an incurable disgust for Constantinople, with …
Frederic William Farrar—Gathering Clouds: A Tale of the Days of St. Chrysostom

He Accuses Abaelard for Preferring his Own Opinions and Even Fancies to the Unanimous Consent of the Fathers, Especially Where He Declares that Christ did Not
He accuses Abaelard for preferring his own opinions and even fancies to the unanimous consent of the Fathers, especially where he declares that Christ did not become incarnate in order to save man from the power of the devil. 11. I find in a book of his sentences, and also in an exposition of his of the Epistle to the Romans, that this rash inquirer into the Divine Majesty attacks the mystery of our Redemption. He admits in the very beginning of his disputation that there has never been but one conclusion …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which Christian Love...
We shall not be curious in the ranking of the duties in which Christian love should exercise itself. All the commandments of the second table are but branches of it: they might be reduced all to the works of righteousness and of mercy. But truly these are interwoven through other. Though mercy uses to be restricted to the showing of compassion upon men in misery, yet there is a righteousness in that mercy, and there is mercy in the most part of the acts of righteousness, as in not judging rashly, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Proverbs 22:29 NIV
Proverbs 22:29 NLT
Proverbs 22:29 ESV
Proverbs 22:29 NASB
Proverbs 22:29 KJV

Proverbs 22:29 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Proverbs 22:28
Top of Page
Top of Page