Classic KJV - Proverbs 22:29

The Best for the King

This proverb deals with finances only indirectly. Anyone “working before kings,” as a reward for excellent workmanship, will likely profit from wealth and honour. Kings want only the best and give the best rewards. Kings have full and absolute authority—even more than prime ministers and presidents, so some kings can act like despots and not return fair compensation to the craftsman.

Translation: skilled

The Hebrew word for “skilled,” מהיר, has strong connotations of the “expeditious,” as that word properly signifies: Quick dispatch, vigorous, and “speedy in executing what has been well and wisely contrived.” Thus a skilled worker is both accurate and quick. Kings and others places of great authority want the job done quickly and properly the first time.

The Search for Significance

We all have a desire to be important—to be significant. We want to be well-regarded—respected—yet this proverb insists that the best way to rise to a high place is by doing our own mundane tasks extremely well.

The type of craft here is not specified, only the quality of the work. It might be a baking, carpentering, or negotiating business deals. The point is this: it’s not so much what you do—it’s how well you do it. It’s the degree of skill and care put into your work. Whatever you do, you must know the scope and parameters of your work—what it is and what it is not. Then you must focus, focus, focus. It requires saying “No” to distractions. No one becomes skilled by dabbling.

We need dedication, not dabbling. Learn what you are best at, and master it. Meanwhile, off-load or delegate any other tasks that keep you from your core craft.

Classic Comments

In his Exposition of the Entire Bible, Gill elaborates that such skilled craftsmen “shall be taken into the service of princes and noble men, and admitted into their presence and receive favours from them; as Joseph, who was industrious and diligent in his business in Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39:4), was in process of time advanced, and stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt (Genesis 41:46).”

Matthew Henry notes, “It is hard to find a truly industrious man. Such a man will rise”—particularly, one might add, given the fading diligence of our contemporary labour force.
And the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary states most succinctly: “Success rewards diligence.”

Deep First, Broad Second

This proverb does not advise us to “toot our own horn” or praise our own abilities. Instead, we must concentrate on doing our immediate task well—extremely well—and wait until we are noticed. I appreciate the advice given by Christian counselor Bill Gothard: “Concentrate on the depth of your message and let God determine the breadth of your ministry.” Or as someone else has said, “Bloom where you are planted, and you may be transplanted to be bigger pot.”

It’s worth remembering that we are always standing before “the King of kings,” that our Creator is always appreciating our efforts. For Him, all tasks are equally important and unimportant, and become worthy only in the love and faithfulness of our efforts.

Our Maker, Saviour, and Friend

Jesus stood before both King Herod and Governor Pontius Pilate. He never sought an audience with royalty, but chose instead to be obedient to His heavenly Father (John 5:19, John 5:30, John 8:28, John 12:49).

Jesus was most highly exalted, since He was completely obedient, even obedient to the point of death (Luke 22:42). We learn about Jesus’ path from the throne, to the grave, and then back to the throne in Philippians 2:5-10.

Being a “craftsman” of His Father’s will, Jesus was granted all authority in Heaven and on Earth. He was made “Kings of kings and Lord of lords.” He was indeed fully God, but also fully Man. The first thirty years of his private life, before his public ministry, must have been filled with the drudgery of his work as “the son of a carpenter.” So He appreciates our efforts to endure the grind of any job, so we might polish it to the best of our ability and the glory of God. Those who humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, will be exalted by God in due time [emphasis mine] (1 Peter 5:6).