Bridges on Proverbs 11:13
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 11:13
 
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13.  A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. {A talebearer: Heb. He that walketh, being a talebearer}
 
Another breach of love is here reproved. (Leviticus 19:16, 17.) The gospel does not shut us up in our own private interests, as if we had no sympathy with our neighbour. It is an universal brotherhood of love. Yet it rebukes the tale-bearer, who, having no business of his own, traffics with his neighbour's name and honour, and vends his wares of scandal, as it may be, whether for gain or wantonness. (Nehemiah 6:17-19.) It is most unsafe to be within the breath of this cruel trifler with the happiness of his fellow-creatures. (Chapter 16:28; 26:22.) For as readily as he reveals our neighbour's secrets to us, will he reveal ours to him.† All the bonds of confidence and friendship are broken in pieces. Let ears and lips be closed against him. If there be no vessel to receive his base matter, his words will fall to the ground, and die away. Children, servants, and visitors in the family, should guard most carefully against revealing secrets, that have been spoken before them in the unreserved confidence of domestic life. The tale-bearer having much time on his hands, worms out family secrets. He is always delighted to make a discovery. The most idle rumour is a treasure. A quarrel made up before he had time to reveal it, is a disappointment. This busy idleness has always been a sore in the church. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. 1 Timothy 5:13. 1 Peter 4:15.) It is a religion always abroad, occupied impertinently with foreign interference; while at home it is “the field of the slothful, grown over with thorns.” (Chapter 24:30, 31.) Would we have our friend rest his anxieties on our bosom (Chapter 17:17), let him not see the results of misplaced confidence dropping out of our mouth. It is of great moment to our peace, that those about us should be of a faithful spirit, to whom it is not necessary on every occasion to enjoin secrecy; true to our interest as to their own; who would rather refuse than betray a trust; whose bosom is a cover of concealment, except when the honour of God and the interests of society plainly forbid. (1 Samuel 3:17, 18. Jeremiah 38:24-27. Contrast Judges 16:16-20.) Invaluable is such a friend, but rare indeed in this deceitful world. (Chapter 20:6.) Yet Christian consistency includes the faithful spirit; and its habitual absence makes it most doubtful, whether the spirit and mind of Christ is not altogether wanting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leviticus 19:16, 17
16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. 17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. {and...: or, that thou bear not sin for him}
 
 
Nehemiah 6:17-19
17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. {sent...: Heb. multiplied their letters passing to Tobiah} 18 For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. 19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear. {words: or, matters}
 
 
Proverbs 16:28
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. {soweth: Heb. sendeth forth}
 
Proverbs 26:22
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. {innermost...: Heb. chambers}
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 20:19. Horace has given us this same warning:
 
 
    Percontatorem fugito; nam garrulus idem est;
    Nec retinent patulae commissa fideliter aures. — Epistle I. 18. L. 69, 70.
 
Proverbs 20:19
19 ¶ He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. {flattereth: or, enticeth}
 
 
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
 
1 Timothy 5:13
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
 
1 Peter 4:15
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
 
 
Proverbs 24:30, 31
30 ¶ I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
 
 
Proverbs 17:17
17 ¶ A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
 
 
Proverbs 20:6
6 ¶ Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? {goodness: or, bounty}
 
 
1 Samuel 3:17, 18
17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. {more also: Heb. so add} {thing: or, word} 18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. {every...: Heb. all the things, or, words}
 
Jeremiah 38:24-27
24 Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die. 25 But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee: 26 Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there. 27 Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived. {they...: Heb. they were silent from him}
 
Contrast
Judges 16:16-20
16 And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; {vexed: Heb. shortened} 17 That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. 18 ¶ And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. 19 And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. 20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.