There is a shift in emphasis in Solomon's anthology here. Pleasing God (cf. Col. 1:10; 1 John 3:22) becomes a greater factor in the proverbs that follow whereas those in chapters 10-15 had living successfully more in view. Nevertheless this is only a change in proportion of emphasis. Both ends are present in both sections of the book (chs. 10-15 and 16:1-22:16).
In this section there is also a slight change in the form of the proverbs. Solomon expressed the earlier proverbs (chs. 10-15) mainly in antithetical parallelisms, but the proverbs in this section are mainly synonymous and synthetic parallelisms. Instead of the key word being "but"it now becomes "and."
16:1 The meaning of this proverb is similar to that of 16:9. Even though man has freedom to plan, in the end he only fulfills the will of God by what he says. Man plans his words, but what really comes out takes place because God sovereignly controls. "Man proposes, God disposes,"is a common equivalent.
". . . when someone is trying to speak before others, the Lord directs the words according to his sovereign will."129
16:3 When we cast (lit. roll) our cares on God (1 Pet. 5:7), He will arrange our plans. The AV and RV have "thoughts"for "plans,"but the idea is the same. This proverb stresses the importance of depending on the Lord.
16:6 We do not atone for our own iniquity by being loving and truthful. This proverb is not a denial of our need for God's atonement. However, we can and should cover (atone for) the mistakes of others lovingly and truthfully (1 Pet. 4:8) as God covers our sins. What will keep us all away from evil is the fear of Yahweh.
"The fear of Jahve is subjection to the God of revelation, and a falling in with the revealed plan of salvation."130
16:10 A king's edict becomes law for his people.131His ordinances are the will of God for them (unless he commands contrary to God's revealed will; cf. Acts 4:19-20). Consequently it is very important that the ruler not err in his judgment.132
16:22 Understanding (good sense) is a source of life for a wise person, but folly is a source of discipline for a fool. Thus a person's wisdom or lack of it determines his or her prospects in life. Proverbs has little that is positive to say about a fool.
"It is highly unlikely that Solomon would accept the idea that all men are created equal and thus deserve education at government expense."133
