Proverbs 23:1-11

1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, you shall surely observe what [is] before you,

2 and you shall put a knife to your throat if you have a {big appetite}.

3 Do not desire his delicacies, for it is food of deception.

4 Do not tire [in order] to become rich; out of your understanding, [may you] desist

5 Your eyes will {alight} on it, but there is nothing [to] it, for suddenly it will make for itself wings like an eagle and it will be exhausted [in] the heavens.

6 Do not eat the bread of {the stingy}, and do not desire his delicacies.

7 For, like hair in his {throat}, so it is. "Eat and drink!" he will say to you, but his heart will not be with you.

8 Your morsel you have eaten, you will vomit it up, and you will waste your pleasant words.

9 In the ears of a fool do not speak, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

10 Do not remove an ancient boundary marker, and on the fields of orphans do not encroach;

11 For their redeemer is strong, he himself will plead their cause 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "lord/master of life"
• [b]. Hebrew "and"
• [c]. Literally "cause to fly"
• [d]. Literally "stingy of eye"
• [e]. Literally "soul," or "inner self"
• [f]. Or "is he"