Proverbs 25:13

The cold of snow. The reference is obviously not to a snowfall in harvest, for such a fall would have been very unwelcome (ch. 26:1) and probably disastrous to the crops. The “cold of snow” is the snow-cooled drink, a most welcome refreshment in the heavy heat of harvest days. Before the days of mechanical refrigeration, the use of snow or ice to cool and preserve was a privilege enjoyed by the wealthy in every land where snow could be obtained.

Faithful messenger. Compare chs. 10:26; 13:17. In these days of rapid communication by electricity, it is difficult to realize how dependent even mighty kings were upon their ambassadors and envoys. Once dispatched, the messenger had entire control of the handling of the mission, which might take him months to accomplish.