20:28

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

28a
Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king ;

28b
by these he maintains his throne.

Both lines describe the character qualities that make a king’s rule stable and secure.

20:28a

Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king: There are two ways to interpret the one who shows Loving devotion and faithfulness. Except for the Contemporary English Version, the versions used in preparing these Notes are all ambiguous, so they will not be listed below:

(1) The king is the one who shows love and faithfulness, primarily to his people, but also to God.

(2) God is the one who shows love and faithfulness to the king. For example:

Rulers are protected by God’s mercy and loyalty (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you translate in a way that allows both interpretations. Both have good scholarly support. If you need to make one interpretation explicit, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In that case, it is also recommended that you put the other interpretation in a footnote. An example of such a footnote is:

In Hebrew, it does not say who shows love and faithfulness. It could be the king, as in the second part of the verse. It could also be God.

Reasons for recommending interpretation (1) are:

(a) Elsewhere in Proverbs, the word pair “loving devotion and faithfulness” refers to qualities that people show rather than qualities that God shows.

(b) Most of the verses in Proverbs about a king describe the king’s interaction with his subjects or the way that he rules. They do not describe God’s interactions with the king. See the note on “love and faithfulness” at 3:3a.

In this clause, Loving devotion and faithfulness are personified. They are described as guards who protect a king. When a king shows these qualities in the way that he rules the people of his country, he will remain in power.

Loving devotion: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Loving devotion refers here to the consistent love and kindness that a king shows to his subjects. For ways to translate this word, see the note on “loving devotion” at 3:3a.

faithfulness: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as faithfulness refers here to the king’s trustworthiness and reliability.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

• Keep the personification. For example:

Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king (New Revised Standard Version)

• Change the personification to a simile. For example:

The kindness and trustworthiness that a king shows to others are like two guards that protect him.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

A king is safe/protected as long as he is loving and kind and can be trusted to fulfill his obligations.

20:28b

by these he maintains his throne: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has: “through love.” For example:

and his throne is upheld by loyal love (NET Bible)

(2) The LXX has: “through justice/righteousness.” For example:

and his throne is upheld by righteousness (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most scholars. However, many versions prefer option (2). So you may want to add a footnote that indicates what it says in the Greek translation (LXX). For example:

What is written in the Hebrew (Masoretic Text) is “love.” What is written in The Greek translation (LXX) is “justice/righteousness.”

his throne: This phrase is a figure of speech here. A king’s throne represents his authority, position, or rule as king.

Some other ways to translate 20:28b are:

they must be merciful for their kingdoms to last (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He will maintain his rule by being kind and loving.

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