Proverbs 21:1-11

1 The king's heart in ADONAI's hand is like streams of water -he directs it wherever he pleases.

2 All a person's ways are right in his own view, but ADONAI weighs the heart.

3 To do what is right and just is more pleasing to ADONAI than sacrifice.

4 Haughty looks, a proud heart -what the wicked plow is sin.

5 The plans of the diligent lead only to abundance; but all who rush in arrive only at want.

6 A fortune gained by a lying tongue is vapor dispersed [by] seekers of death.

7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to act justly.

8 A criminal's conduct is crooked, but the work of the pure is right.

9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife.

10 The wicked is set on evil; he doesn't pity even his neighbor.

11 When a scorner is punished, the simple become wiser; and when the wise is instructed, he takes hold of knowledge.

Proverbs 21:1-11 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.