Proverbs 21:1-11

1 The Lord can control a king's mind as he controls a river; he can direct it as he pleases.

2 You may believe you are doing right, but the Lord judges your reasons.

3 Doing what is right and fair is more important to the Lord than sacrifices.

4 Proud looks, proud thoughts, and evil actions are sin.

5 The plans of hard-working people earn a profit, but those who act too quickly become poor.

6 Wealth that comes from telling lies vanishes like a mist and leads to death.

7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them, because they refuse to do what is right.

8 Guilty people live dishonest lives, but honest people do right.

9 It is better to live in a corner on the roofn than inside the house with a quarreling wife.

10 Evil people only want to harm others. Their neighbors get no mercy from them.

11 If you punish those who make fun of wisdom, a foolish person may gain some wisdom. But if you teach the wise, they will get 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.