Proverbs 16:14 (BSB)

The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

From Proverbs 16. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 16:14

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 16:14-15: These two verses show the power of kings, which is every where great, but was especially so in those eastern countries, where they were absolute and arbitrary. Whom they would they slew and whom they would they kept alive. Their will was a law.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 16:14: The wrath of a king is as messengers of death,.... Or, "angels of death", as the Targum. As the wrath of Ahasuerus was to Haman; when it is either discovered in the countenance of a king, or expressed by his words, or signified by a messenger; it sometimes has been immediate death to a person, and often as terrible as if a messenger brought the...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 16:14: This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (Kg1 2:25), can be appeased by the wise.
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Proverbs 16:14: The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. (h) That is, he finds many ways to execute his wrath.