“The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, and it is in kings’ palaces” (Proverbs 30:28).

Translations differ on what animal is intended.  Some translations think that the spider is intended (KJV, NKJV).  Other translations think that the lizard is intended (ASV, NIV, NASB, ESV).  It is difficult The Hebrew word (semamith) appears in the Bible only here.  Moreover, there is another word translated spider (Job 8:14; Isaiah 59:5), and there is another word translated lizard (Leviticus 11:30).  The Greek translation (the Septuagint, LXX) uses a word which seems to refer to some kind of lizard, possibly a gecko.

No matter what small creature is intended, the point is the same.  This little creature will not be deterred from entry.  It is persistent.  It is determined.  It will not be denied.  It will find its way into a house, or even a king’s palace.  Thomas Seals comments, “By determination and continued effort, this agile and clever little creature finds his way into the palaces of Eastern monarchs” (Thomas L. Seals, Proverbs: Wisdom For All Ages, p. 133).  Several creatures are like this.  Ants, lizards, and spiders are all capable of finding entry into the most tightly sealed and secured homes and buildings.  Even the White House has been known to have intruders of mice, cockroaches, and ants (President Trump’s Staff Complain of Cockroach, Mice, and Ant Infestations In the White House by Abigail Abrams, November 30, 2017, time.com).

Applications for us: (1) Determination and persistent effort is needed for success.  It is not enough to desire or wish for something.  A lizard could wish that he were inside the palace, but he would never enter without determination and effort.  Many desire a thing, but do not put forth the effort needed to make it happen.  (2) Let us have the determination and effort needed to enter into heaven.  “Then one said to Him, ‘Lord, are there few who are saved?’ And He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, fort many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:23-24; Also see Matthew 7:13-14).