It is the glory of God to conceal things,
Proverbs 25:2 (ESV)
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
On one level, this Proverb can be seen as aimed at reading and understanding the whole book of Proverbs as well as the rest of Scripture. Early in chapter 1 we are told Proverbs will contain the riddles of the wise (1:6). Proverbs is addressed to “my son” and “my sons.” Since it was published to everyone there is some sense in which we are all considered royalty.
But nothing indicates this particular Proverb is meant to apply only to reading the Bible. It could apply to many other things that you are concerned about.
To understand what I mean, ask yourself this question:
DOES YOUR LIFE MAKE NO SENSE?
Maybe your life is a riddle and you are supposed to not give up trying to solve it because God considers you a king. You may wish your life did not seem so mysterious, but God is honoring you with glory. To use Arthurian mythological imagery: your life is the stone and your calling is to figure out how to extract your sword from it.
Of course, the only way to “search things out” in such a case is to continue to live your life and not give up hope.
All that is gold does not glitter, and not all glory appears glorious at first. Proverbs is a bout dealing with trials and gaining from them. If you knew the time limit or when the answer that would appear, then it would not really be a riddle and you would not be the king God is crowning.
You probably know what led me to mention gold not glittering:
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.From the ashes, a fire shall be woken,
J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
Tolkien’s concept of a hereditary monarch who has never had any sign of throne or kingdom, but who has the confidence and calling of a king, yet is humble and helpful rather than proud and domineering, is a powerful idea. It fits well with Proverbs, which is written as words of a king to his heir, yet is meant for everyone.