Proverbs 23:6-16

6 1Do not eat the bread of a 2selfish * man, Or desire his delicacies;
7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, "Eat and drink!" But 3his heart is not with you.
8 You will 4vomit up the morsel you have eaten, And waste your compliments.
9 5Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will 6despise the wisdom of your words.
10 Do not move the ancient boundary Or 7go into the fields of the fatherless,
11 For their 8Redeemer is strong; 9He will plead their case against you.
12 Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge.
13 10Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.
14 You shall strike him with the rod and 11rescue his soul from Sheol
15 My son, if your heart is 12wise, My own heart also will be glad;
16 And my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak 13what is right.

Proverbs 23:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 11

This chapter relates the false steps Solomon took, notwithstanding all his wisdom, in marrying strange wives, and worshipping other gods, 1Ki 11:1-8 upon which the Lord threatens him to rend the kingdom in his son's time, 1Ki 11:9-13 and he raised up adversaries against him, Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam, 1Ki 11:14-26 of which last an account is given, and of his being assured by Ahijah the prophet of his having ten of the tribes of Israel given to him; which Solomon having notice of sought to slay him, 1Ki 11:27-40 and the chapter is concluded with an account of Solomon's death and burial, 1Ki 11:41-43.

Cross References 13

  • 1. Psalms 141:4
  • 2. Deuteronomy 15:9; Proverbs 28:22
  • 3. Proverbs 26:24, 25
  • 4. Proverbs 25:16
  • 5. Matthew 7:6
  • 6. Proverbs 1:7
  • 7. Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:10
  • 8. Job 19:25; Jeremiah 50:34
  • 9. Proverbs 22:23
  • 10. Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 19:18
  • 11. 1 Corinthians 5:5
  • 12. Proverbs 23:24; Proverbs 27:11; Proverbs 29:3
  • 13. Proverbs 8:6

Footnotes 8

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