Proverbs 23:8-19

8 Thy morsel which thou hast eaten must thou vomit up, and thou wilt have wasted thy sweet words.

9 Speak not in the ears of a foolish [man], for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

10 Remove not the ancient landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

11 for their redeemer is mighty; he will plead their cause against thee.

12 Apply thy heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

13 Withhold not correction from the child; for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die:

14 thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol

15 My son, if thy heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine;

16 and my reins shall exult, when thy lips speak right things.

17 Let not thy heart envy sinners, but [be thou] in the fear of Jehovah all the day;

18 for surely there is a result, and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

19 Thou, my son, hear and be wise, and direct thy heart in the way

Proverbs 23:8-19 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]. Or 'correction:' see ver. 13 and ch. 1.2.
• [b]. Or 'but [let it covet] the fear.'
• [c]. Or 'end;' 'future,' as ch. 24.14,20: Ps. 37.37: see Note k, ver. 32.