Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
Berean Standard Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
Cross References
1 Kings 2:23Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life.
Proverbs 8:36But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
Proverbs 19:12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
Hosea 11:10They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.
Habakkuk 2:10You have plotted shame for your house by cutting off many peoples and forfeiting your life.
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 →