Proverbs 23:28-35

28 indeed, she sets an ambush like a robber and increases those among men who are unfaithful.^[a]

29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason?^[b] Who has red eyes?

30 Those who linger over wine, those who go looking for mixed wine.^[c]

31 Don't gaze at wine when it is red, when it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly.^[d]

32 In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.

33 Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things.^[e]

34 You'll be like someone sleeping out at sea or lying down on the top of a ship's mast.

35 "They struck me, but^[f] I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didn't know it!^[g] When will I wake up? I'll look for another [drink]."^[h]

Proverbs 23:28-35 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Pr 6:26; 7:22-23; 22:14
• [b]. Pr 23:35
• [c]. Isa 5:11
• [d]. Sg 7:9
• [e]. Or will speak perversities or inverted things
• [f]. LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read me," you will say, "But
• [g]. Pr 23:29
• [h]. Eph 5:18