Proverbs 23:1-11

1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee;

2 and put a knife to thy throat if thou be a man given to appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his dainties, for they are deceitful meat.

4 Labor not to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom

5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly build themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward the heavens.

6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats;

7 for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink," saith he to thee, but his heart is not with thee.

8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

9 Speak not to the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

10 Remove not the old landmark, and enter not into the fields of the fatherless;

11 for their Redeemer is mighty; He shall plead their cause against thee.

Proverbs 23:1-11 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.