Proverbs 21:18-28

18 ¹The wicked is a ²ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.

19 It is ³better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

20 ⁴Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man ⁵devours it.

21 Whoever ⁶pursues righteousness and kindness will find ⁷life, righteousness, and honor.

22 ⁸A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 ⁹Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue ¹⁰keeps himself out of ¹¹trouble.

24 ¹²"Scoffer" is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

25 The desire of ¹³the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

26 All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous ¹⁴gives and does not hold back.

27 ¹⁵The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more ¹⁶when he brings it with evil intent.

28 ¹⁷A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.

Proverbs 21:18-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 9

This chapter relates a second vision Solomon had at Gibeon, in which he received an answer to his prayer in the preceding chapter, 1Ki 9:1-9 that passed between him and Hiram king of Tyre, 1Ki 9:10-14, the places that Solomon built or repaired, 1Ki 9:15-19, the Canaanitish people that became bondmen to him, and the officers he had among the children of Israel, 1Ki 9:20-23 the removal of Pharaoh's daughter to the house built for her, 1Ki 9:24. Solomon's attention to religious services, 1Ki 9:25 and the navy of ships he employed, which brought him in great riches, 1Ki 9:26-28.

Cross References

• 1. [Proverbs 11:8]
• 2. Isaiah 43:3
• 3. [ver. 9]
• 4. [Psalms 112:3]
• 5. [Job 20:15, 18]
• 6. Proverbs 15:9; Matthew 5:6; [Proverbs 3:3]
• 7. Proverbs 3:16; 1 Kings 3:11; Matthew 6:33; See Proverbs 4:22
• 8. [Proverbs 24:5; Ecclesiastes 7:19]; See 2 Samuel 5:6-9; Ecclesiastes 9:14-18
• 9. See Proverbs 13:3
• 10. Proverbs 22:5
• 11. Proverbs 12:13
• 12. Proverbs 1:22; See Psalms 1:1
• 13. [Proverbs 13:4]
• 14. See Psalms 37:26
• 15. Isaiah 66:3; See Proverbs 15:8
• 16. [Proverbs 24:9]
• 17. Proverbs 19:5, 9