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Wine is a Mocker
…27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.28Loving devotionand faithfulnesspreservea king;by thesehe maintainshis throne.29The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.…

Treasury of Scripture

Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upheld by mercy.

mercy

Proverbs 16:6
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORDmen depart from evil.

Psalm 61:7
He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth,which may preserve him.

Psalm 101:1
A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

his

Proverbs 16:12
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

Proverbs 29:14
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

Psalm 21:7
For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

ActsBasedFaithFaithfulnessGoodKindnessLoveMercyPowerPreserveRighteousnessSafeSeatSecureSupportedSustainedThroneTruthUpheldUpholdenUpholdethUpholdsUprightActsBasedFaithFaithfulnessGoodKindnessLoveMercyPowerPreserveRighteousnessSafeSeatSecureSupportedSustainedThroneTruthUpheldUpholdenUpholdethUpholdsUpright1.Proper Living

Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king
In ancient Israel, the qualities of loving devotion and faithfulness were essential for a king's successful reign. These virtues are often associated with the Hebrew words "chesed" (loving devotion) and "emet" (faithfulness), which are frequently used to describe God's covenantal love and reliability. A king who embodies these attributes reflects God's character and ensures stability and longevity in his rule. This principle is evident in the reigns of kings like David, who, despite his flaws, was known for his heart after God (1 Samuel 13:14). The emphasis on these virtues underscores the importance of moral integrity and righteous leadership in maintaining a kingdom.

by these he maintains his throne
The maintenance of a throne through loving devotion and faithfulness suggests that a king's power is not solely dependent on military might or political alliances but on his moral and ethical conduct. This idea is consistent with the biblical theme that true leadership is rooted in righteousness and justice (Proverbs 16:12). The throne, a symbol of authority and governance, is secured not by force but by the king's commitment to these divine principles. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ, the ultimate King, exemplifies perfect loving devotion and faithfulness, establishing an eternal kingdom not of this world (John 18:36). The prophetic nature of this verse points to the Messianic expectation of a ruler who embodies these virtues perfectly.

1.King
In the context of this proverb, the king represents leadership and authority. The verse emphasizes the qualities that sustain a ruler's reign.

2.Loving Devotion (Hebrew: "chesed")
This term refers to steadfast love, kindness, or mercy. It is a covenantal love that is loyal and enduring.

3.Faithfulness (Hebrew: "emeth")
This word signifies truth, reliability, and stability. It is the quality of being trustworthy and consistent.

4.Throne
Symbolizes the seat of power and authority. The stability of a king's throne is contingent upon his character and actions.

5.Preservation
The act of maintaining or sustaining something. In this context, it refers to the enduring nature of a king's rule through righteous qualities.The Foundation of Leadership
True leadership is built on the pillars of loving devotion and faithfulness. These qualities ensure the stability and longevity of one's influence.

Character Over Power
A leader's character is more crucial than their power or position. Integrity and reliability are what truly preserve authority.

Reflecting God's Nature
As believers, we are called to reflect God's nature, which is characterized by steadfast love and faithfulness. This should be evident in our interactions and leadership roles.

Covenantal Relationships
Just as a king's throne is maintained by loving devotion and faithfulness, our relationships should be grounded in these virtues, reflecting our commitment to God and others.

Practical Application
In our daily lives, we should strive to embody loving devotion and faithfulness, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, ensuring that our actions align with our values.1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 20:28?

2.How does Proverbs 20:28 define the role of "loyalty and faithfulness" in leadership?

3.What practical steps can leaders take to embody "loyalty and faithfulness" today?

4.How does Proverbs 20:28 connect with Jesus' teachings on servant leadership?

5.Why are "loyalty and faithfulness" crucial for maintaining authority according to Proverbs 20:28?

6.How can you apply the principles of Proverbs 20:28 in your personal relationships?

7.How does Proverbs 20:28 define the role of love and faithfulness in leadership?

8.What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 20:28?

9.How does Proverbs 20:28 relate to the concept of divine justice?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 20?

11.How to handle attraction to someone else when married?

12.Proverbs 21:21: How can this promise of life, prosperity, and honor be reconciled with the reality that many righteous and loving people suffer hardship or persecution?

13.In Job 36:11-12, obedience supposedly leads to prosperity while disobedience brings destruction; how does this align with the real-world experiences of faithful people in hardship?

14.Proverbs 10:25 says the righteous remain firm in the storm--why then do natural disasters often strike believers and nonbelievers alike?Loving devotion

“Loving devotion” points to a ruler’s steady, self-giving love for God and for the people he serves. Scripture repeatedly links such steadfast love with lasting influence:

• “But My loving devotion will never be removed from him” (2 Samuel 7:15).

• “Love and faithfulness meet together” (Psalm 85:10).

A king who shows mercy, kindness, and generosity wins the hearts of his subjects, echoing the command, “Above all, love one another deeply” (1 Peter 4:8). Power alone frightens; loving devotion attracts and unites.

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and faithfulness

Faithfulness highlights truthfulness, integrity, and reliability. God Himself models this: “Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds” (Psalm 36:5). When a ruler keeps his word—whether in treaties, promises, or daily decisions—he mirrors God’s character.Proverbs 16:12 reminds us, “Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.” People rally around a leader whose yes means yes and whose decisions are anchored in God’s unchanging truth.

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preserve a king

The verse states that these twin virtues “preserve a king.” Protection does not hinge chiefly on armies or alliances; it flows from moral credibility before God and people. David testified, “Great salvation He brings to His king; He shows loving devotion to His anointed” (Psalm 18:50). Likewise, when Solomon walked “with integrity of heart” (1 Kings 9:4-5), the throne was secure. A reputation for mercy and trustworthiness disarms rebellion, invites cooperation, and draws divine favor.

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by these he maintains his throne

The phrase shifts from preservation to ongoing stability. A throne survives crises when its occupant consistently practices love and faithfulness:

• Administer justice with compassion (Proverbs 29:14).

• Protect the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8-9).

• Honor covenants (Isaiah 16:5), foreshadowing the eternal rule of Christ, “the throne of His father David” (Luke 1:32-33).

Such rule reflects God’s own “foundation of loving devotion and faithfulness” (Psalm 89:14), ensuring that leadership endures beyond temporary victories or popularity.

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summary

Proverbs 20:28 teaches that a ruler’s true security is not in force but in character. Loving devotion wins hearts; faithfulness earns trust. Together they preserve and sustain authority, because they align earthly leadership with the very nature of God, whose steadfast love and unfailing faithfulness uphold His everlasting throne.

(28)Mercy and truth preserve the king.--See above onProverbs 3:3. The love and faithfulness he shows to his subjects draw out the same qualities in them, and these are the safeguard of his throne. So (Psalm 130:4) the mercy shown by God inspires man with a reverent fear of Him, while harshness might have made him a slave, or driven him through despair into rebellion. (Comp.Jeremiah 33:9.)

Verse 28. -Mercy and truth preserve the king. (For "mercy and truth," see note on Proverbs 3:3.) The love and faithfulness which the king displays in dealing with his subjects elicits the like virtues in them, and these are the safeguard of his throne.His throne is upholden by mercy; or,love. So the king is well called the father of his people, and in modern times the epithet "gracious" is applied to the sovereign as being the fountain of mercy and condescension. Sallust, 'Jugurtha,' 10, "Non exercitus neque thesauri praesidia regni sunt, verum amici, quos neque armis cogere neque auro parare queas; officio et fide pariuntur." Septuagint, "Mercy (ἐλεημοσύνη) and truth are a guard to a king, and will surround his throne with righteousness." "The subject's love," says our English maxim, "is the king's lifeguard."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Loving devotion
חֶ֣סֶד(ḥe·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617:Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

and truth
וֶ֭אֱמֶת(we·’ĕ·meṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571:Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

preserve
יִצְּרוּ־(yiṣ·ṣə·rū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5341:To watch, guard, keep

a king;
מֶ֑לֶךְ(me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A king

by these
בַּחֶ֣סֶד(ba·ḥe·seḏ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617:Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

he maintains
וְסָעַ֖ד(wə·sā·‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5582:To support, sustain, stay

his throne.
כִּסְאֽוֹ׃(kis·’ōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3678:Seat of honor, throne


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:28 Love and faithfulness keep the king safe (Prov. Pro Pr)