Proverbs 15:1-8

1 ¹A soft answer turns away wrath, but ²a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but ³the mouths of fools pour out folly.

3 ⁴The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 ⁵A gentle^[a] tongue is ⁶a tree of life, but ⁷perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5 ⁸A fool ⁹despises his father's instruction, but ¹⁰whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

7 ¹¹The lips of the wise spread knowledge; ¹²not so the hearts of fools.^[b]

8 ¹³The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but ¹⁴the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

Proverbs 15:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 5

This chapter relates Solomon's preparation for building the temple: on Hiram, king of Tyre, sending a congratulatory letter to him, he returned another to him, signifying his intention to build an house for God, and requesting him to supply him with timber, and men to work it, 1Ki 5:1-6; to which Hiram readily agreed, and sent him cedar and fir, and Solomon in return sent him food for his household; and things went on very amicably between them, 1Ki 5:7-12; the chapter concludes with an account of Solomon's workmen, where, how, and in what they were employed, 1Ki 5:13-18.

Cross References

• 1. [Proverbs 25:15]; See Judges 8:1-3
• 2. See 1 Samuel 25:10-13; 1 Kings 12:13-16
• 3. [ver. 28; Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 18:2]
• 4. See Job 31:4
• 5. [Proverbs 12:18]
• 6. See Proverbs 3:18
• 7. Proverbs 11:3
• 8. [Proverbs 10:1]
• 9. [Psalms 107:11]
• 10. [Proverbs 13:18]
• 11. [Matthew 12:34, 35]
• 12. [Matthew 12:34, 35]
• 13. Proverbs 21:27; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Isaiah 1:11, 15
• 14. [ver. 29]

Footnotes

• [a]. Or healing
• [b]. Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast