Proverbs 23:4-14

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.

12 Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to the words of knowledge.

13 Don't withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

14 Punish him with the rod, And save his soul from She'ol

Proverbs 23:4-14 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.