Proverbs 21:1-9

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water, he turns it wherever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weighs the hearts.

3 To do righteousness and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4 A high look and a proud heart, which is the fire of the wicked, is sin.

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

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of those that seek death.

7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them because they refuse to do judgment.

8 The way of the perverse man is crooked and strange, but as for the pure, his work is right.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than with a brawling 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.