Proverbs 9

Wisdom’s Banquet

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.

2 She has slaughtered her slaughtering, mixed her wine, [and] also set her table.

3 She has sent her servant girls, she calls upon the wings of the high places of town,

4 "Whoever [is] simple, let him turn here." As for the one who lacks {sense}, she says to him,

5 "Come, eat with my bread; drink with the wine I have mixed.

6 Lay aside simplicity and live; walk in the way of understanding."

7 He who corrects a scoffer gains abuse for himself, and he who rebukes the wicked {gets hurt}.

8 Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke the wise and he will love you.

9 Give to a wise one and he will become more wise; {teach} a righteous one and he will increase learning.

Foolishness’ Banquet

10 The start of wisdom is fear of Yahweh, and knowledge of the Holy One, insight.

11 For by me your days shall increase, and years of life shall multiply for you.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and [if] you scoff, alone you shall bear [it].

13 A woman of foolishness is loud, simple, and does not know {it}.

14 She sits at the door of her house, upon a throne [at the] high places of town,

15 [in order] to call to those who pass by the road, those who go straight [on] their way:

16 "Whoever is simple, may he turn here!" As for he who lacks {sense}, she says to him,

17 "Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant."

18 But he does not know that the dead [are] there, in the depths of Sheol [are] her guests.

Proverbs 9 Commentary

Chapter 9

The invitations of Wisdom. (1-12) The invitations of folly. (13-18)

Verses 1-12 Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.

Verses 13-18 How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies conscience, and puts out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason to offer; and where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very violent and pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lusts, destroy thousands. They especially draw off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched, empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by faith, and ere long be with him in glory.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "young maidens"
• [b]. Literally "heart"
• [c]. Literally "abuse him"
• [d]. Literally "make known to"
• [e]. Or "holy ones"
• [f]. Literally "what"
• [g]. Literally "heart"
• [h]. Or "Rephaim"
• [i]. A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 9

In this chapter, Wisdom, or Christ, is represented as having built a stately house or palace for the entertainment of his guests, Pr 9:1; as having made large and suitable provisions for them, Pr 9:2; and as having sent his servants to invite them to come and partake of them, and quit all other company but his, Pr 9:3-6; When it is observed who are and who are not to be reproved, with the reasons of it, Pr 9:7-9; and what is the sum and substance of true wisdom; and what the advantages of it both here and hereafter, Pr 9:10-12; And the chapter is concluded with the description of the foolish woman, the opposite of Wisdom; who is represented as clamorous, simple, and ignorant, Pr 9:13; and plying passengers that go by her door, and inviting them in to partake of her provisions, Pr 9:14-17; the consequence of which is sure and certain death and destruction to her guests, Pr 9:18.