Proverbs 23:1-11

1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently what is before you;

2 Put a knife to your throat, If you are a man given to appetite.

3 Don't be desirous of his dainties, Seeing they are deceitful food.

4 Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint

5 Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

6 Don't eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, And don't crave his delicacies:

7 For as he thinks about the cost, so he is. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

8 The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, And lose your good words.

9 Don't speak in the ears of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

10 Don't move the ancient boundary stone. Don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless:

11 For their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.

Proverbs 23:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 11

This chapter relates the false steps Solomon took, notwithstanding all his wisdom, in marrying strange wives, and worshipping other gods, 1Ki 11:1-8 upon which the Lord threatens him to rend the kingdom in his son's time, 1Ki 11:9-13 and he raised up adversaries against him, Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam, 1Ki 11:14-26 of which last an account is given, and of his being assured by Ahijah the prophet of his having ten of the tribes of Israel given to him; which Solomon having notice of sought to slay him, 1Ki 11:27-40 and the chapter is concluded with an account of Solomon's death and burial, 1Ki 11:41-43.