Proverbs 18:2  “A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing…”
One way conversation.  Do you listen to what the other person is saying or are you too busy thinking about what you’re going to say next.

4  “…wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook”
Continually flowing to provide water, what is needed.

5  “It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.”
An understatement.  Probably because of bribes, personal gain.

6  “…his mouth calls for blows”
He’s asking for it.

8  “…words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles…”
Wonderful to hear, but too good to be true.  Easy to accept.

9  “He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.”
Unfaithfulness does as much damage as active destruction.

10-11  “The name of the LORD…The rich man’s wealth…”
Comparing the two.  One is genuine, the other will not hold.  Correct phrase, in his own esteem.  Seems good to a man, but is a false way.

12  “Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.”
Like the phrasing.  Pride is before destruction just as humility is before honor.

13  “He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.”
Don’t open your mouth before engaging your brain.  Goes along with verse 2.  Wants to speak on something without listening to anyone else.

14  “The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?”
So true.  Repeated several times in Proverbs in different ways.

16  “A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.”
Bribery.  Not promoted, just stating the obvious.

17  “The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.”
Always listen to the whole story, to both sides.

19  “…contentions are like the bars of a castle”
Bad feelings are as hard to overcome as iron bars in a castle.

21  “…those who love it will eat its fruit”
Not sure why, but I’m reminded of what Jesus said, that those who live by the sword will perish by the sword.  We end up participating in whatever we choose to use, either tongue or sword.

22  “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.”
Where to start.  Wish I could obtain such favor.

23  “The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly.”
Depends on the position of power.  Not promoted.  The wise person will speak with courtesy and equity, not from a position of superiority.

24  “…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”
Messianic phrase.  Jesus the friend of sinners.  Amazing to read what was proclaimed in the Old Testament without the speakers fully seeing the results about which they spoke.  The writer obviously knows that God can be a friend closer than a brother, but I’ll bet he had no idea how Jesus would fulfill that statement.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.