Proverbs 23:5-15

5 Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder.
6 Don't accept a meal from a tightwad; don't expect anything special.
7 He'll be as stingy with you as he is with himself; he'll say, "Eat! Drink!" but won't mean a word of it.
8 His miserly serving will turn your stomach when you realize the meal's a sham.
9 Don't bother talking sense to fools; they'll only poke fun at your words.
10 Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines or cheat orphans out of their property,
11 For they have a powerful Advocate who will go to bat for them.
12 Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge.
13 Don't be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won't kill them.
14 A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death
15 Dear child, if you become wise, I'll be one happy parent.

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.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.