Proverbs 30:22 says it is a bad thing if a slave becomes a king. How does this fit with the rest of the Bible?

Question

For example:
-King David was not from a noble family but displaced the current king,
-Jesus was from a poor family,
-The Hebrew people were slaves in Egypt, however in Deut 15:4 God promises they will rule over other nations.

I have a half formed idea that it fits with the OT theme of God picking the least likely people for the job- like when he used a prostitute*, Rahab, to protect the spies in Jericho.

*Note that adultery is also mentioned in the Proverbs 30 passage.

Answer 1

If you have ever served under a leader who has not found freedom in Christ- someone who is bitter, proud, arrogant, spiteful, unforgiving, selfish- reflect on the experiences you had with that leader, how many times you may have been hurt by them- and you will begin to understand why it is a bad thing if a slave becomes a king.

Only those that have found freedom from sin can really serve as leaders the way that God intended- as servants.

Answer 2

Proverbs 30:21-23
21 For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: 22 For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food, 23 A hateful woman when she is married, And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress.

I think you missed the point. It doesn't say it's a bad thing if a slave becomes a king. It says the earth is perturbed by this. The other three "perturbing" things I think are just as self-explanatory as the "servant when he reigns" quote. It's about retribution-payback---the whole I was treated bad now I'm going to treat you bad, kind of thing.

There is very good reason God seemed to raise up many "lowly" people...for His Glory....so people would know all the more that His power and glory are endless and unparalleled. It doesn't have much to do with the person; it has everything to do with God working within them. So people would wake up and realize how great God is and that nothing is impossible with Him.

Answer 3

Proverbs 30:22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat. (KJV) Cross reference: Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. Many unnatural reversals are the experience of life. The sage is simply leading his readers to a number of proverbial axioms, and several sets of wise pronouncements on some of the people, things, and situations that are observable in the ongoing activities of life. This particular passage is referring to the character of four kinds of people, verses 21,22 and 23 are tied into one another. More or less its character descriptives. God Bless

Answer 4

This passage as well as the whole book of Proverbs is about gaining wisdom. Wisdom is the principal endeavor for us. It is the way to conduct your life in peace and favor with God. A servant that bears rule will not do it from a perspective of a true leader- it will cause strife and division. Solomon is attributed with writing this book. If you read l Chronicles you will see Solomon had a heart for leading and God bestowed much favor upon him for that.

Answer 5

Your example, David and Jesus, were from poor families, but they were not slaves. Aside from that, both were anointed by God to the task for which they were destined to be raised.

A slave would be lacking in leadership skills, and unprepared to look at long-term consequences in the decision making process.

Answer 6

It wouldn't apply to David not being from a noble family because his son Solomon wrote Proverbs. As for the others, not too sure.