Proverbs 23:1-7

1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, pay close attention to what is in front of you,

2 and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite.

3 Do not crave his delicacies, because this is food that deceives you.

4 Do not wear yourself out getting rich. Be smart enough to stop.

5 Will you catch only a fleeting glimpse of wealth before it is gone? It makes wings for itself like an eagle flying into the sky.

6 Do not eat the food of one who is stingy, and do not crave his delicacies.

7 As he calculates the cost to himself, this is what he does: He tells you, "Eat and drink," but he doesn't really mean it.

Proverbs 23:1-7 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.