Proverbs 15:7-17

7 ¹The lips of the wise spread knowledge; ²not so the hearts of fools. ^[a]

8 ³The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but ⁴the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him ⁵who pursues righteousness.

10 There is ⁶severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; ⁷whoever hates reproof will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more ⁸the hearts of the children of man!

12 ⁹A scoffer ¹⁰does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

13 ¹¹A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by ¹²sorrow of heart the spirit is ¹³crushed.

14 ¹⁴The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but ¹⁵the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

16 ¹⁶Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.

17 ¹⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than ¹⁸a fattened ox and hatred with it.

Proverbs 15:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 5

This chapter relates Solomon's preparation for building the temple: on Hiram, king of Tyre, sending a congratulatory letter to him, he returned another to him, signifying his intention to build an house for God, and requesting him to supply him with timber, and men to work it, 1Ki 5:1-6; to which Hiram readily agreed, and sent him cedar and fir, and Solomon in return sent him food for his household; and things went on very amicably between them, 1Ki 5:7-12; the chapter concludes with an account of Solomon's workmen, where, how, and in what they were employed, 1Ki 5:13-18.

Cross References

• 1. 15:7 [Matt. 12:34, 35]
• 2. 15:7 [Matt. 12:34, 35]
• 3. 15:8 ch. 21:27; Eccles. 5:1; Isa. 1:11, 15
• 4. 15:8 [ver. 29]
• 5. 15:9 ch. 21:21; 1 Tim. 6:11; [ch. 11:19]
• 6. 15:10 [Isa. 1:5]
• 7. 15:10 See ch. 12:1
• 8. 15:11 2 Chr. 6:30; Ps. 44:21; John 2:24; See 1 Sam. 16:7
• 9. 15:12 See Ps. 1:1
• 10. 15:12 Amos 5:10
• 11. 15:13 [ver. 15; ch. 17:22]
• 12. 15:13 See ch. 12:25
• 13. 15:13 ch. 18:14
• 14. 15:14 ch. 14:6; 19:24
• 15. 15:15 ver. 13
• 16. 15:16 ch. 16:8; Ps. 37:16; [1 Tim. 6:6]
• 17. 15:17 ch. 17:1
• 18. 15:17 [Matt. 22:4; Luke 15:23]

Footnotes

• [a] 15:7 Or 'the hearts of fools are not steadfast'