Proverbs 23:12-16

12 Give your heart to teaching, and your ears to the words of knowledge.

13 Do not keep back training from the child: for even if you give him blows with the rod, it will not be death to him.

14 Give him blows with the rod, and keep his soul safe from the underworld

15 My son, if your heart becomes wise, I, even I, will be glad in heart;

16 And my thoughts in me will be full of joy when your lips say right things.

Proverbs 23:12-16 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.