Proverbs chapter 13 (part 2) - Walk with the wise and become wise #Wise sayings of Solomon

Proverbs chapter 13.

Summary: The person who refuse instruction will bring troubles on himself. The person who respects commands and wise teachings will be rewarded with much, including eternal life. Person with good understanding will win favour from God and men. The prudent person makes decision based on knowledge, facts and figures. The foolish who does not heed reproach and discipline will end up with poverty and shame. The company of wise people will increase wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It is important to discipline and chastise our children. A good man will have excess money to leave inheritance to his children. The righteous is blessed with enough money to satisfy all his needs.


13 13 He who despises the word brings destruction on himself,
    but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.
14 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    that one may avoid the snares of death. (Proverbs 13:13-14) (RSV)

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
    but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death. (Proverbs 13:13-14) (NIV)

The person who refuse to be instructed will eventually face many problems. The person who does not learn will not have the knowledge and wisdom to do the right things and say the right things, all these will being trouble upon himself.

On the contrary, the person who respects and learns the instructions and commands will increase in knowledge and wisdom. With better knowledge, wisdom and understanding, he will be rewarded in many ways, including better career, profitable business, respect and honour. He heeds and obeys the wise teachings and eventually make his life more purposeful, more joyous, greater peace and harmony. Hence, be rewarded with eternal life, and avoiding spiritual death.

15 15 Good understanding gains favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly. (Proverbs 13:15-16) (NKJV)

15 15 Good sense wins favor,
    but the way of the faithless is their ruin.[c]
16 16 In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge,
    but a fool flaunts his folly. (Proverbs 13:15-16) (RSV)

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]

16 All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge,
    but fools expose their folly. (Proverbs 13:15-16) (NIV)

A person with good understanding, good judgement, good sense will speak the right things, do the right things, thus finding favour with God and men. A person with good understanding tends to make good decisions.

The prudent person will make decision based on knowledge, facts and figures. He does not make decision and react based on rumours, gossips, slanders. He does not emotionally-motivated and hasty actions which will be regretted later.

The foolish person is right in his own eyes. He tends to make foolish decisions, say the wrong things. His actions and speech reflect his lack of wisdom and understanding.

17 17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a faithful ambassador brings health. (Proverbs 13:17) (NKJV)

17 17 A bad messenger plunges men into trouble,
    but a faithful envoy brings healing. (Proverbs 13:17) (RSV)

17 17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. (Proverbs 13:17) (NIV)

When a state is warring with another state, a messenger or ambassador is often sent for sending message and negotiations. A bad/wicked messenger may misrepresent the one who sends him. Bad messenger may distort the message or say the wrong things, thus bring trouble to himself and the state/person who sends him. Bad messenger may also reveal particulars about his side to the enemy side. 

On the contrary, the faithful and trustworthy ambassador can effectively represent his state. He can speak wisely with gentle words that bring about peace. He can negotiate an amicable peace agreement. He understands what is required by his state/person who sends him.

As faithful believers, we should strive to be faithful and trustworthy ambassadors of Christ. We should effectively represent Christ in our lives, in our speech and deeds, in our attitude and behavior.

18 18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
But he who regards a rebuke will be honored. (Proverbs 13:18) (NKJV)

18 18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
    but he who heeds reproof is honored. (Proverbs 13:18) (RSV)

18 18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
    but whoever heeds correction is honored. (Proverbs 13:18) (NIV)

The person who does not heed instruction, discipline, and correction, will end up with poverty and shame. For instance, by not learning and correcting his errors, he will not acquire much knowledge. With limited knowledge, he will not earn sufficient income. Or, he earns reasonable income, but due to folly in financial matters, he wastes his money. Eventual result is poverty. With low knowledge and no sense/understanding, he will make so many errors which will bring shame upon himself. His life is full of repeated mistakes.

On the contrary, the wise person who is willing to heed correction, reproach and rebuke will always learn from his errors and mistakes. He will gradually increase in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He will speak the right things, do the right things. His speech and deeds will win him  favour and honour from God and men.

19 19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul;
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. (Proverbs 13:19) (RSV)

19 19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but fools detest turning from evil. (Proverbs 13:19) (NIV)

For everyone, having a fulfilled desired brings lots of joys, happiness and satisfaction. For the foolish people, they have no desire to turn away from evil, to turn away from sinful works. The foolish people continue in sin, without any intention to repent.

20 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20) (NKJV)

20 20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20) (NIV)

20 20 He who walks with wise men becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20) (RSV)

The wise person normally will mix around with other wise people, and becomes wiser. The company of wise people enable the sharing of knowledge and ideas will increase the wisdom and understanding.

On the contrary, mixing around with foolish people with lots of bad habits and unhealthy activities will influence the person toward that tendency. Examples of foolish and bad habits/activities include orgy, excessive partying, drinking and getting drunk, gambling, sex with prostitutes, drug abuse, gossip, slandering. 

21 21 Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid. (Proverbs 13:21) (NJV)

21 21 Misfortune pursues sinners,
    but prosperity rewards the righteous. (Proverbs 13:21) (RSV)

21 21 Trouble pursues the sinner,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good things. (Proverbs 13:21) (NIV)

People who live sinful life will eventually face trouble and misfortune. For example, a man who has adultery with somebody's wife will sooner or later be discovered, and will face trouble with his wife and the woman's husband. For example, the man who steals may face prosecution and imprisonment upon conviction. For example, a man who drinks excessively and gets drunk often may be involved with road accident due to drunk driving, or his liver becomes liver cirrhosis, bring himself various health problems.

The righteous who live a good and healthy lifestyle will be rewarded with many good things, such as good health, successful career, profitable business, respect and honour, happy family life, and also eternal life.

22 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22) (NKJV)

22 22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22) (NIV)

A good, righteous person is blessed with abundance. Being wise, he stores his extra money in assets and investments. He will be able to leave a significant inheritance for his children and his children's children. A good person thinks far ahead.

A sinner's excess money is likely wasted on unimportant things, fleshly lust, carnal and worldly desires, lusts of the eyes. Because of folly in managing finances, he will have little inheritance left for his children. His excess money goes to unnecessary expenses, into other people's pocket.

23 23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away. (Proverbs 13:23) (NIV)

23 23 The fallow ground of the poor yields much food,
    but it is swept away through injustice. (Proverbs 13:23) (RSV)

Although the land may be inferior (such as hilly land, rocky soil, unfertile land), through industrious labour, the poor may still yield much food from the land. But if the land is not worked on, it will be wasted and nothing is produced.

24 24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. (Proverbs 13:24) (NKJV)

24 24 He who spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. (Proverbs 13:24) (RSV)

24 24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. (Proverbs 13:24) (NIV)

It is important to discipline and chastise our children. They will not die from the discipline, chastisement and punishment. If they are not disciplined, they may grow up in wicked ways, which will be more destructive. It is better to chastise and guide them along the path of righteousness, speaking the right things, doing the right things, having good habits and attitudes.

25 25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want. (Proverbs 13:25) (NKJV)

25 25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want. (Proverbs 13:25) (RSV)

25 25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry. (Proverbs 13:25) (NIV)

The righteous person works diligently, do the right things, and will be rewarded with enough money and even abundance. Philippians 4: 19 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The righteous will have all his needs fulfilled, enough food on the table, enough money to fulfil every need. 

But the wicked wastes his money on his sinful habits, such as gambling, womanizing, partying and drinking. The wicked may also be sluggish and lazy, hence earning less income. With less income and more expenses, and foolish handling of finances, the wicked/foolish has not enough money to fulfil all his needs. Instead of fulfilling his needs and his family's needs, he wastes money on wants and wishes.



Thursday, Feb 6, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
13)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.13
14)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.14
15)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.15
16)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.16
17)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.17
18)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.18
19)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.19
20)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.20
21)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.21
22)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.22
23)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.23
24)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.24
25)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.25

Proverbs chapter 13 (part 1) - Desires of the diligent are fully satisfied #Wise sayings of Solomon

Proverbs chapter 13.

Summary:  Wise person listens to instructions, but scoffer/mocker refuse correction. Be slow in speech, think twice before we speak, to avoid offending other people. The lazy person desires much but achieves nothing due to his laziness, but the diligent person will surely become rich. The righteous person hates falsehood and lies. Do not live luxuriously on credit, showing off the riches, yet owing huge debt. Pride will cause strife, but the wise listens to advice and reach agreeable solution. Wealth gained dishonestly will not last, but wealth gained through work and fair business will grow more and more. Do not set unrealistically high hope or ambition to avoid frustration.


A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. (Proverbs 13:1) (NIV)

A wise son hears his father’s instruction,
    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. (Proverbs 13:1) (RSV)

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. (Proverbs 12:1) (NKJV)

A wise person will listen to the instruction of a wiser person. A wise person is receptive to reproof, correction, and alternative viewpoints. A wise person is open-minded to consider other people's ideas. A scoffer/mocker is too proud to accept rebuke, reproof or correction. This proud scoffer/mocker is right in his own eyes, and reluctant to accept other points of views, alternative ideas. To be receptive to instruction and reproof, we must have the humility and the open mind.

2 2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. (Proverbs 13:2-3) (NKJV)

2 2 From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats good,
    but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
3 3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life;
    he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. (Proverbs 13:2-3) (RSV)

2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. (Proverbs 13:2-3) (NIV)

The output and words of the good man are good things, such as good deeds, profitable business, successful career, respect and honour. The bad, unfaithful, treacherous man, on the other hand, has many evil desires which will bring violence and troubles to himself and other people.

The good man who is wise to guard his lips and careful with his words will not be offending his friends and enemies. When confronted with enemies, his careful words will mitigate and lower the anger of his enemies, causing himself less trouble, even preserving his own life.

He who guards his lips will think twice before he speaks, and careful with his speech. He is aware of the potential of adverse impact if wrong words and intonation are used.

Those who speak rashly and react too hastily will end up saying the wrong things, offending friends and relatives. Often offending other people may himself to ruin and destruction, to be unfriended by friends, to be hated by enemies. 

4 4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (Proverbs 13:4) (NIV)

4 4 The soul of the sluggard craves, and gets nothing,
    while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. (Proverbs 13:4) (RSV)

4 4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. (Proverbs 13:4) (NKJV)

The sluggish and lazy person may have many wishes and wants, but is too lazy to work hard to earn the money, eventually not getting his wishes and wants. The lazy person is a procrastinator, lazing around, fantasizing, but not seriously putting his hands and minds into what he aims to do. All the ambitions of the lazy person is just an empty daydream, which could be realized if he works at it, but unfortunately he is too lazy to do it.

On the contrary, the diligent and hardworking person is willing to invest his time and energy into his work and business, hence achieving success, earning the money to get what he wants and wishes. With diligence and good financial intelligence, the diligent is surely gathering riches and wealth.

The misery and shame of the slothful. See how foolish and absurd they are; they desire the gains which the diligent get, but they hate the pains which the diligent take; they covet every thing that is to be coveted, but will do nothing that is to be done.

5 5 A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
6 6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner. (Proverbs 13:5-6) (NKJV)

5 5 A righteous man hates falsehood,
    but a wicked man acts shamefully and disgracefully.
6 6 Righteousness guards him whose way is upright,
    but sin overthrows the wicked. (Proverbs 13:5-6) (RSV)

The righteous person hates lying and falsehood. He likes to say the right things, hear the right things. He makes decisions based on facts and figures, not based on rumours, gossips, and slanders.  On the contrary, the wicked person feels shameless to lie and slander, to spread false news, to spread untrue rumour and gossips.

The righteous person lives in godly and upright ways, good ways that are pleasing to God and other people. But the wicked person lives a life of sin, such as falsehood.

7 7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. (Proverbs 13:7) (NKJV)

7 7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. (Proverbs 13:7) (RSV)

7 7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. (Proverbs 13:7) (NIV)

The lesson of humility and low profile. One man lives luxuriously,  drives luxury cars, stays in an expensive house, wears high fashion, wears expensive watch and jewellery, and yet has huge debts. Another man lives more simply, drives a good non-luxury car, stays in a comfortable house, wears normal-priced clothes and watch, and yet has big amount of cash in the bank. There is no need to brag and show off one's riches. Not wise to compare and keep up with Joneses. Do not overspend on credit. But rather live in simple yet comfortable manner, in realistic lifestyle, save up the extra money rather than wasting on expensive, luxury items.

Pertaining to spiritual riches. Grace is the riches of the soul; it is true riches; but men commonly misrepresent themselves, either designedly or through mistake and ignorance of themselves. 1. There are many presuming hypocrites, that are really poor and empty of grace and yet either think themselves rich, and will not be convinced of their poverty, or pretend themselves rich, and will not own their poverty. 2. There are many timorous trembling Christians, that are spiritually rich, and full of grace, and yet think themselves poor, and will not be persuaded that they are rich, or, at least, will not own it; by their doubts and fears, their complaints and griefs, they make themselves poor. 

8 8 The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth,
    but a poor man has no means of redemption.[a]  (Proverbs 13:8) (RSV)

8 8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. (Proverbs 13:8) (NIV)

In time of war, when the enemies have captured the city, the enemies will focus on the rich, seizing their property, money and riches. The lives of the rich people are endangered during captivity.  The poor hear not rebuke, are not censured, reproached, accused, nor brought into trouble, as the rich are; for nobody thinks it worth while to take notice of them. When the rich Jews were carried captives to Babylon the poor of the land were left, 2 Kgs. 25:12

9 9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked will be put out. (Proverbs 13:9) (NKJV)

9 9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. (Proverbs 13:9) (NIV)

For the righteous, there is much joy and rejoicing. The road ahead (the future) for the righteous is bright and positive. The righteous can see a good future ahead. On the contrary, the wicked faces lack of joy. depression and stress. For the wicked, his road ahead is dim and not easy.

10 10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (Proverbs 13:10) (NIV)

10 10 By pride comes nothing but strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom. (Proverbs 13:10) (NKJV)

10 10 By insolence the heedless make strife,
    but with those who take advice is wisdom. (Proverbs 13:10) (RSV)

Because of pride, a person refuse to listen to other people's ideas and points of view. Because of pride, a person refuse to peaceable agreement. Because of pride, a person refuses to discuss and negotiate. Pride will cause strife, arguments, and quarrels.

On the contrary, the wise person is humble and willing to listen to advice of other people. The wise and humble person is willing to see from other people's viewpoints and consider other people's ideas, hence, avoiding strife. The wise person has much higher chance of coming to an agreeable solution when there are conflicts or differing opinions.

11 11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase. (Proverbs 13:11) (NKJV)

11 11 Wealth hastily gotten[b] will dwindle,
    but he who gathers little by little will increase it. (Proverbs 13:11) (RSV)

11 11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. (Proverbs 13:11) (NIV)

Easy come, easy go. Do not be involved in get rich quick schemes. This type of investment and scams will eventually fail. Do not be involved in speculative stocks and speculative indices play. These are highly risky, easy to make money, even easier to lose money. Do not use margin financing to invest or speculate in stocks. This is extremely high risk, with potential of making huge money with little money, with the danger of losing all money and even owing large debts if the stock price go down significantly. Bottomline, do not covet for money, do not be greedy.

Do not use dishonest means to make fast money. Do not the customers. Do not use unfair business practice. Because somehow fast money gained through dishonest means will not last.

But be diligent and hardworking in our work and our business. We can make money gradually, and save up the extra money in the bank, and also invest the extra money. We can surely become richer and wealthier using honest work, honest business practice.

12 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12) (RSV)

12 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12) (NIV)

A hope that is continually not fulfilled is depressing. Do not put our hope and ambition too high. Our hope and ambition should be realistic and achievable. There is no point in hoping for the impossible. Having too high a hope or too high an ambition will be frustrating. Be contented with what we have. Sufficient and adequate is good enough.

Nothing is more grievous than the disappointment of a raised expectation, though not in the thing itself by a denial, yet in the time of it by a delay: Hope deferred makes the heart sick and languishing, fretful and peevish; but hope quite dashed kills the heart, and the more high the expectation was raised the more cutting is the frustration of it. It is therefore our wisdom not to promise ourselves any great matters from the creature, not to feed ourselves with any vain hopes from this world.

When our desire is fulfilled, it brings much joy and gladness. We feed so alive and vibrant when the desire is fulfilled, or the ambition is achieved. So in order to make ourselves happier, set our desire, hope and ambition to realistic ones, so that they are achievable.



Wednesday, Feb 5, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
1)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.1
2)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.2
3)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.3
4)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.4
5)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.5
6)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.6
7)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.7
8)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.8
9)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.9
10)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.10
11)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.11
12)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.12
13)

Fruit of The Spirit: (9) SELF-CONTROL

SELF-CONTROL is the nineth of the nine parts of Fruit of The Spirit. KJV uses the word Temperance, whereas contemporary versions (NKJV, RSV, NIV) use the word Self-Control. David controlled himself on two occasions, from vengeance and killing Saul when he had the chance. Jesus controlled himself and remained silent without answering despite being falsely accused.


22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23) (NKJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) (KJV)

Nave's Topical Bible.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/naves-topical-bible/self-control.html

Self-control 

• Of Saul
  1 Samuel 10:27

27 But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought no presents. But he held his peace. (1 Samuel 10:27) (KJV)

26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent. (1 Samuel 10:26-27) (NIV)

• Of David
  1 Samuel 24:1-15 ; 26:1-20

When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-ge′di.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. 3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe. 5 And afterward David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words, and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave, and went upon his way.

8 Afterward David also arose, and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance. 9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your hurt’? 10 Lo, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave; and some bade me kill you, but I[a] spared you. I said, ‘I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for by the fact that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. 12 May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me upon you; but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! 15 May the Lord therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see to it, and plead my cause, and deliver me from your hand.”  (1 Samuel 24:1-15) (RSV)

David exercised self-control and restraint, decided not to kill Saul (who wanted to kill David).

Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?” 2 Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come.

5 So David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Now Saul lay within the camp, with the people encamped all around him.6 Then David answered, and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?”

And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”

7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!”

9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?” 10 David said furthermore, “As the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish. 11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go.” 12 So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul’s head, and they got away; and no man saw or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.

13 Now David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great distance being between them. 14 And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Do you not answer, Abner?”

Then Abner answered and said, “Who are you, calling out to the king?”

15 So David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king. 16 This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not guarded your master, the Lord’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head.”

17 Then Saul knew David’s voice, and said, “Is that your voice, my son David?”

David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” 18 And he said, “Why does my lord thus pursue his servant? For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand?19 Now therefore, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the Lord has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20 So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.”

22 And David answered and said, “Here is the king’s spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it. 23 May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24 And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.”  (1 Samuel 26:1-24) (NKJV)

David had a second chance to kill off Saul. Instead, he decided to take Saul's spear and jug of water to proof that he had the opportunity to kill him, but did not do it. David had controlled himself from killing Saul.

• Of Jesus
  Matthew 26:62 Matthew 26:63 ; 27:12-14

62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”  (Matthew 26:62-63) (NKJV)

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”  (Matthew 26:62-63) (NIV)

12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.

13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. (Matthew 27:12-14) (NKJV)

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. (Matthew 27:12-14) (NIV)

Despite the false accusation, Jesus controlled himself and remained silent without answering. To be able to remain silent when falsely accused is no easy feat.

• See ABSTINENCE, TOTAL
• See GRACES, CHRISTIAN
• See PATIENCE
• See TACT
• See also, RASHNESS 4090

Stong's Exhaustive Concordance.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=temperance&t=kjv&s=Bibles

• Acts 24:25 KJV

  And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance , and judgment to come , Felix trembled , and answered , Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
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25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."  (Acts 24:25) (NIV)

25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” (Acts 24:25) (NKJV)

• Galatians 5:23 KJV

  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
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23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:23) (NIV)

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:23) (NKJV)

• 2 Peter 1:6 KJV

  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
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6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; (2 Peter 1:6) (NIV)

6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,  (2 Peter 1:6) (NKJV)

Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb 4-5, 2014.
Michael Yeap.