19:6–7

These two verses contrast with one another. Verse 19:6 talks about the many people who want to be friends of a generous leader. Verse 19:7 discusses the situation of a poor person whose friends and relatives abandon him.

19:6

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

6a
Many seek the favor of the prince,

6b and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

The use of “Many” in 19:6a and “everyone” in 19:6b indicates that both statements are true in general. The parallelism implies that the “prince” that is mentioned here is a generous person who gives gifts. It is also implied that “the gift giver” has enough wealth and status to give gifts to many people.

19:6a

Many seek the favor of the prince: There are two ways to interpret the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the prince :

(1) It refers to a person who has high rank or status, such as a government official. For example:

Many curry favor with the great (Revised English Bible)
-or-
people want to please a leader (New Century Version)

(2) It refers to a person who is generous. For example:

Many seek the favor of a generous man (English Standard Version)
-or-
Many try to win the kindness of a generous person (God’s Word)

The Display follows interpretation (1), along with most versions. You may follow either interpretation, depending on what makes sense in your culture. Both interpretations are well supported. Rulers are usually wealthy and have the authority to grant favors. On the other hand, “a generous man” forms a closer parallel with “a man who gives gifts.”

seek the favor: The Hebrew idiom that the Berean Standard Bible translates as seek the favor is literally “stroke the face.” It means to try to gain someone’s favor. It may imply flattery.

19:6b

and everyone is a friend of the gift giver: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the gift giver is literally “a man of gifts.” It refers to a person who frequently or characteristically gives gifts to others. Such a person is, of course, generous. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

a giver of gifts (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
a lavish giver (Revised English Bible)

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