Proverbs 23:1-6

On Life and Conduct

1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you,

2 And put a knife to your throat If you are a ¹man of great appetite.

3 Do not ²desire his delicacies, For it is deceptive food.

4 ³Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, ⁴Cease from your consideration of it

5 When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For ⁵wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

6 ⁶Do not eat the bread of a ⁷selfish * man, Or desire his delicacies;

Proverbs 23:1-6 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. Proverbs 23:20
• 2. Psalms 141:4; Proverbs 23:6; Dan 1:5, 8, 13, 15, 16
• 3. Proverbs 15:27; Proverbs 28:20; Matthew 6:19; 1 Timothy 6:9; Hebrews 13:5
• 4. Proverbs 3:5, 7
• 5. Proverbs 27:24; 1 Timothy 6:17
• 6. Psalms 141:4
• 7. Deuteronomy 15:9; Proverbs 28:22

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "who"
• [b]. Or "understanding"
• [c]. Lit "Will your eyes fly upon it and it is not?"
• [d]. Lit "an evil eye"