KJV ORIGINAL
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Don't promote yourself in front of the king, and don't try to take the place of important people.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is teaching us not to be pushy or self-promoting around powerful people, and not to try to claim positions that belong to those above us.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb was written during the time of Israel's monarchy, when approaching a king inappropriately could result in severe punishment or death. In ancient Near Eastern courts, there were strict protocols about who could stand where and how one should behave in the presence of royalty. The advice reflects the dangerous reality of court politics where overstepping boundaries could be fatal.
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