Proverbs 21:14-24

14 A secret gift allays anger, and a bribe under the cloak the strongest fury.

15 Acting justly is a joy for the righteous but it terrifies evildoers.

16 The person who strays from the way of common sense will come to rest in the company of the dead.

17 Pleasure-lovers will suffer want; he who loves wine and oil won't get rich.

18 The wicked serve as a ransom for the righteous, and likewise the perfidious for the upright.

19 It is better to live in the desert than with a nagging, irritable wife.

20 In the home of the wise are fine treasures and oil, but a fool quickly devours it.

21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness finds life, prosperity and honor.

22 A wise man can go up into a city of warriors and undermine the strength in which it trusts.

23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

24 "Scoffer" is what you call a proud, insolent person who acts with overweening conceit.

Proverbs 21:14-24 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.