The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-3
A hexastich closely connected with the last verse of the preceding chapter, as if the warning was addressed to the man of skill whom his talents had made the guest of kings. read more
箴言 23:1-5 Rcuvts
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-3
Sycophancy and independence The reader is here warned against the danger of depending too much on the favour of great people. Possibly that favour is only offered as a bribe, and the unwary recipient of it may be no better than a dupe, who has unconsciously sold himself. At the best it tends to destroy the spirit of independence. I. HE WHO DEPENDS ON THE FAVOUR OF A GREAT MAN PUTS HIMSELF IN HIS POWER . In proportion to the power to help is the power to... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-3
The temptation of the table It is probable that Solomon had in view those who did not often sit down to a "good dinner," and who, when they were invited to a feast by some one who was able to spread his table with delicacies, found themselves subjected to a strong temptation to unusual indulgence. Dr. Kitto tells us that, in the East, men would (and now will) eat an almost incredible amount of food when a rare opportunity offered itself. From the moral and the religious standpoint this... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-8
Hints and warnings on conduct I. PERILS OF COURTLY LIFE . ( Proverbs 23:1-3 .) The Arab proverb says, "He who sups with the sultan burns his lips," and, "With kings one sits at the table for honour's sake, not for that of appetite." Horace says that kings are said to press dainties and wine upon those whom they desire to scrutinize and test, as to whether they be worthy of friendship. The caution is therefore one dictated by prudence. And in general it may be thus understood:... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:2
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. "Stab thy gluttony," Wordsworth. Restrain thyself by the strongest measures, convince thyself that thou art in the utmost peril, if thou art a glutton or wine bibber (Ecclesiasticus 34:12 (31) ). The LXX . gives a different turn to the injunction, "And apply ( ἐπίβαλλε ) thy hand, knowing that it behoves thee to prepare such things." This is like the warning of Siracides, in the chapter quoted above, where the... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:3
Be not desirous of his dainties. (For "dainties," see on Proverbs 23:6 .) Be not too greedy of the bounties of the royal table, so as to forget discretion, and be led to say and do things which are inexpedient or unseemly. For they are deceitful meat. Oftentimes such entertainment is not offered for friendship's sake, but for some sinister purpose—to make a man expose himself, to get at a man's real character or secrets. Far from being a sign of favour and good will, the seeming honour... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:4
Labour not —weary not thyself— to be rich. , John 6:27 , "Labour not for the meat that perisheth," where the warning is against that absorbing eagerness for wealth which leads to evil doing and neglect of all higher interests. Cease from thine own wisdom. The wisdom ( binah, Proverbs 3:5 ) is that which is necessary for making and keeping wealth. Vulgate, Prudentiae tuae pone modum. This is not the highest form of wisdom ( chochmah ) , but rather the faculty of distinguishing... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:4
Labouring to be rich Never was the advice of the wise man more appropriate than it is in the present day; but never were people more slow to accept it. Let us consider the grounds on which is based the warning, "Labour not to be rich." I. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MOST PEOPLE TO BECOME RICH . In the lottery of life the prizes are few and the blanks many. If the race for wealth is accelerated, the stakes are not multiplied. Or, if it be by production rather than by commerce... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:1
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler. This, of course, would be a great honour to a man of lowly birth, or to one of the middle class, to whom the manners of courts and palaces were practically unknown. Consider diligently what is before thee. So the Vulgate, Qua apposita sunt ante faciem tuam ; and the Septuagint, τὰ παρατιθέμενά σοι . Take heed lest the unusual dainties on the table tempt thee to excess, which may lead not only to unseemly behaviour, but also to unruly... read more