Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger sins [against] his own life.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
In Context
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever errs thereby is not wise.
3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarrelling.
Cross References
1 Kings 2:23Then king Solomon swore by LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life.
Proverbs 8:36But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.
Proverbs 19:12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion, but his favor is as dew upon the grass.
Hosea 11:10They shall walk after LORD, who will roar like a lion. For he will roar, and the sons shall come trembling from the west.
Habakkuk 2:10Thou have devised shame to thy house, by cutting off many peoples, and have sinned against thy soul.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 20:2
Miscellaneous Maxims. 1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Here is, 1. The mischief of drunkenness: Wine is a mocker; strong drink is raging. It is so to the sinner himself; it mocks him, makes a fool of him, promises him that satisfaction which it can never give him. It smiles upon him at first, but at the last it bites. In reflection upon it, it rages in his conscience. It is raging in the body, puts the humours into a ferment. When the wine is in the wit is… Read the whole commentary →