The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
Summary: Stenches are a funny thing. To some people they stink but to others they smell good.
There is a story in the Old Testament (2 Samuel 10) that illustrates this proverb. When the king of the Ammonites dies, King David sent a delegation to express sympathy to his son, Hanun. Being inexperienced, the new king misinterprets David’s intent. Instead of being honored by the delegation from David, he dishonored them and sent them packing.
When news of the dishonor Hanun had done reached David, the response was war. The text says, “When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David…” (2 Samuel 10:6 / ESV) they doubled down on their stupidity and raised an army to attack David. It was a big mistake.
David assembled his army and stomped the Ammonites into the ground. David hated the false pride and arrogance that the Ammonite king had displayed. The wicked made themselves a stench to David and in the end, they brought shame on themselves.
I used to know a dog that did something similar. Whenever we were down on the beach by the river, he would wander off and find a dead fish. Then he would roll in it and come back smelling like rotten fish. As far as he was concerned, it was the finest perfume, but to me, he was just a stinky dog.
The interesting thing about this proverb is what it doesn’t say.
It doesn’t say that the wicked feel the shame they bring on themselves. Like my dog, they might even be proud of what they have done. The stench is only a stench to those who hate what is false.
Application: Be aware that how we act and what we say matters. Righteousness is not wanting to be a stench in God’s nostrils.
Food for Thought: What kinds of things do the righteous hate?
Well, this verse does not list any specifics, but Psalm 101:3 comes to mind.
JEC –
Thank you! Great verse:
“I will not look with approval
on anything that is vile.
I hate what faithless people do;
I will have no part in it.
What kinds of things do the righteous hate?
The righteous will hate the very things that God hates. The things God hates are in direct opposition to His love, loving Him, and loving others.
Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Well said, Chris!
Good devotion and illustration brother.
I agree with Chris. The first thing I thought of was that the righteous hate what God hates.
Thanks, Rich!
One of the interesting things about this discussion this morning is the difference between what God hates and the rules people make about how to be ‘religious.’ The things God hates are hard to measure, so we make rules about things that we can measure and pretend that we are doing God’s will.
Yes. I agree. We hate what God hates but not necessarily man made rules. God hates sin, we should too. God hates dishonest gain, a lying tongue, etc. What God hates should be clear in Scripture.
08-03-2022 Proverbs 13:5, What kinds of things do the righteous hate?
I join all the above.
Believers hate sin, we are becoming christlike, consequently we are obedient, and will do good work. We by the Spirit of God, have come to hate sinful thoughts and acts which separate us from God!
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
1 John 1:9, Romans 12:9
Excellent point, Ron.
As the Holy Spirit works in us, we become more Christlike. It changes who we are (thank God!).
👍