Proverbs 21:1-6

1 The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.

3 To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

4 Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, only to want.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.

Proverbs 21:1-6 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'the tillage,' or 'the prosperity.'