Proverbs 15:16-26

16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted calf and hatred therewith.

18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.

19 The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the righteous is made plain.

20 The wise son makes a glad father, but the foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of understanding, but the man who is intelligent walks uprightly.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

24 The way of life is uphill to the wise, that he may separate himself from Sheol below.

25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, but he will establish the inheritance of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the speech of the pure is pure.

Proverbs 15:16-26 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.