Proverbs 14:35

 The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about leadership:

Proverbs 14:35

A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor,

but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Proverbs 14:28

In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,

but without people a prince is ruined.

In the above two proverbs from chapter fourteen, we are introduced to the king and his followers.   In verse 28 we discover a king has to have followers to be a king (if no one is following you, you are not a leader).  In verse 35 we discover that the king’s integration with those followers is very much centered around the actions and character of the follower.    Leadership, Solomon tells us, is very much engaged in the actions and interactions of those who follow.   A great leader will “value” (reward) those who act in wisdom and will do the opposite with those who act in foolish manner (“acts shamefully”).   Leadership is very much engaged with people.   The key for the leader is how they engage with the follower.   In verse 35 we read that the king shows “favor” to those who act wisely.   Vine says the following about this word “favor:”

ratson (רָצוֹן, 7522), “favor; goodwill; acceptance; will; desire; pleasure.” The 56 occurrences of this word are scattered throughout Old Testament literature.

Ratson represents a concrete reaction of the superior to an inferior. When used of God, ratson may represent that which is shown in His blessings: “And for the precious things of the earth and fullness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush” (Deut. 33:16).

Showing favor is an act of a leader that must be done, repeatedly, when followers respond in wisdom.   Leaders who reward wise behavior will multiple that same behavior in other followers.   People will rise to that occasion.  Conversely when followers act in a shamefully manner, leaders must also take action.   In verse 35 we read that the leaders’s “wrath falls” on the one who acts in a shameful manner.  Leaders must also hold people accountable.   How we hold them accountable has much debate, but this verse tells us that it can extend to “wrath.”   Solomon, no doubt, writes this in regard to the royal court.   Leadership is responsible to hold shameful behavior to a standard in order to correct it.   

bosh (בּוּש, 954), “to be ashamed, feel ashamed.” This verb, which occurs 129 times in biblical Hebrew, has cognates in Ugaritic, Akkadian, and Arabic. The word has overtones of being or feeling worthless.

Those who bring “bosh” (shame) onto an organization need to be corrected.   This is as equally part of the leader’s role.  Leaders can’t simply show favor.  They have to also want to develop a climate of accountability.   The great leader knows how to balance these. If a leader doesn’t  balance this area he/she may not have any followers to lead.