Proverbs 21:1-8

1 As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out.

2 Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.

3 To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.

4 A high-minded man is stout-hearted in pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.

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6 He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity to the snares of death.

7 Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.

8 To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.

Proverbs 21:1-8 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.