Proverbs 23:9-19

9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

10 ¹Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless,

11 for their ²Redeemer is strong; he will ³plead their cause against you.

12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

13 Do not withhold ⁴discipline from a child; ⁵if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

14 If you strike him with the rod, you will ⁶save his soul from Sheol.

15 ⁷My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.

16 My ⁸inmost being^[a] will exult when your lips speak ⁹what is right.

17 Let not your heart ¹⁰envy sinners, but continue in ¹¹the fear of the LORD all the day.

18 Surely ¹²there is a future, and your ¹³hope will not be cut off.

19 Hear, my son, and ¹⁴be wise, and ¹⁵direct your heart in the way.

Proverbs 23:9-19 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.

Cross References

• 1. See Proverbs 22:28
• 2. [Exodus 6:6]; See Job 19:25
• 3. See Proverbs 22:23
• 4. See Proverbs 13:24
• 5. [Proverbs 19:18]
• 6. [1 Corinthians 5:5]
• 7. ver. 24, 25; See Proverbs 29:3
• 8. Psalms 7:9; Psalms 73:21
• 9. [Proverbs 8:6]
• 10. See Psalms 37:1
• 11. [Proverbs 28:14]
• 12. Proverbs 24:14, 20
• 13. Psalms 9:18
• 14. Proverbs 6:6
• 15. [Proverbs 9:6]

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew My kidneys