Proverbs 15:14-24

14 ¹The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but ²the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

16 ³Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

17 ⁴Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than ⁵a fattened ox and hatred with it.

18 ⁶A hot-tempered man ⁷stirs up strife, but he who is ⁸slow to anger quiets contention.

19 The way of ⁹a sluggard is like a hedge of ¹⁰thorns, but the path of the upright is ¹¹a level highway.

20 ¹²A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 ¹³Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding ¹⁴walks straight ahead.

22 ¹⁵Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and ¹⁶a word in season, how good it is!

24 The path of life leads upward ¹⁷for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

Proverbs 15:14-24 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 14:6; Proverbs 19:24
• 2. ver. 13
• 3. Proverbs 16:8; Psalms 37:16; [1 Timothy 6:6]
• 4. Proverbs 17:1
• 5. [Matthew 22:4; Luke 15:23]
• 6. Proverbs 29:22; [Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 26:21]
• 7. Proverbs 28:25
• 8. See Proverbs 14:29
• 9. Proverbs 19:24; Proverbs 22:13
• 10. Proverbs 22:5
• 11. Jeremiah 18:15
• 12. See Proverbs 29:3
• 13. Proverbs 10:23
• 14. [Ephesians 5:15]
• 15. Proverbs 11:14; [Proverbs 20:18]
• 16. Proverbs 25:11; [Isaiah 50:4]
• 17. Colossians 3:1, 2; [Proverbs 2:18, 19; Philippians 3:20]