Proverbs 21:1-9

1 The king's heart in the hands of the Lord is like the water streams, and by him it is turned in any direction at his pleasure.

2 Every way of a man seems right to himself, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.

3 To do what is right and true is more pleasing to the Lord than an offering.

4 A high look and a heart of pride, *** of the evil-doer is sin.

5 The purposes of the man of industry have their outcome only in wealth; but one who is over-quick in acting will only come to be in need.

6 He who gets stores of wealth by a false tongue, is going after what is only breath, and searching for death.

7 By their violent acts the evil-doers will be pulled away, because they have no desire to do what is right.

8 Twisted is the way of him who is full of crime; but as for him whose heart is clean, his work is upright.

9 It is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house.

Proverbs 21:1-9 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.