Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddles with.
‘The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water…’ Just as water seeks the smallest opening in a dam and, once released, rushes forth with force too great to contain, so is the nature of strife. What begins as a small offence or a careless word may swell into bitter conflict and lasting division. Wisdom, therefore, teaches to stop contention at its very start, lest it grow beyond control.
‘Beginning of strife.’ Four examples of beginning strife: The Ephraimites provoked conflict with Jephthah out of pride and offence (Jdg. 12:1-6), resulting in the loss of forty-two thousand men. Abner, by proposing a contest of young men, sparked a deadly battle that claimed many lives (2Sam. 2:14-17). Rehoboam, by rejecting wise counsel and speaking harshly, turned the hearts of Israel against him (2Chr. 10:1-16). Jeroboam, by setting up false altars and opposing the house of David, led Israel into civil war and spiritual ruin (2Chr. 13:17).
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