I remember studying this book in a Girls’ Bible study, and one big thing that was recognized was the importance of who you surround yourself with. In this passage, we see the king get ANGRY because his queen didn’t want to show herself off to all his guests. His pride and anger and self justifying are through the roof. And sometimes, for different reasons, don’t we all get that way? We’re in tunnel vision, only seeing our side, angry, and self justified in how we feel.
And the people that the king surround himself are not iron sharpening iron. They are yes-men. They want to sound good and be in the right circle and hype you up even if you’re wrong. And they validate his pride and blow it up with major consequence.
Thankfully, God uses ALL things, but we can still observe this community around the king and apply this truth to our own lives: choose your people carefully. We all want people who build us up and stand with us and that’s so important, but having friends who speak truth in love are better than the kisses of an enemy. Too, let’s be friends who are REAL and not just yes-women.