Proverbs 23:5-15

5 When your eyes fly to wealth it is gone; it grows wings like an eagle and flies heavenward.

6 Don't eat food with stingy people; don't long for their delicacies,

7 because they are like a hair in the throat. They say to you, "Eat and drink!" but they don't mean it.

8 You will eat scraps and vomit them out. You will waste your pleasant words.

9 Don't speak in the ears of fools, for they will scorn your insightful words.

10 Don't remove an ancient boundary marker; don't invade the fields of orphans,

11 for their redeemer is strong. He will bring charges against you.

12 Bring your mind to instruction, your ear to knowledgeable sayings.

13 Don't withhold instruction from children; if you strike them with a rod, they won't die.

14 Strike them with a rod, and you will save their lives from the grave.

15 My child, if your heart is wise, then my heart too will be happy.

Proverbs 23:5-15 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]. LXX; Heb uncertain
• [b]. Heb Sheol