Proverbs 23:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-3

The sin we are here warned against is luxury and sensuality, and the indulgence of the appetite in eating and drinking, a sin that most easily besets us. 1. We are here told when we enter into temptation, and are in most danger of falling into this sin: ?When thou sittest to eat with a ruler thou has great plenty before thee, varieties and dainties, such a table spread as thou has seldom seen; thou are ready to think, as Haman did, of nothing but the honour hereby done thee (Est. 5:12), and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:1

When thou sittest to eat with a ruler ,.... Either a supreme ruler, a king, or a subordinate ruler, a nobleman, a judge, a civil magistrate, a person of honour, dignity, and authority; and to sit at table with such is sometimes allowed, and is always reckoned an honour; this particularly diligent and industrious persons are admitted to, who not only are brought to stand before kings and great persons, but to sit at table with them, and eat food with them. And now the wise man advises such... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 23:1

When thou sittest to eat with a ruler - When invited to the table of thy betters, eat moderately. Do not appear as if half starved at home. Eat not of delicacies to which thou art not accustomed; they are deceitful meat; they please, but they do not profit. They are pleasant to the sight, the taste, and the smell; but they are injurious to health. These are prudential cautions; and should be carefully observed by all who would avoid the conduct of a clown, and desire to pass for a well-bred... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 23:1-3

Proverbs 23:1-3. When thou sittest to eat with a ruler When thou art invited to the table of a great man; consider diligently what is before thee What things, what plenty and variety of meats and drinks, by which thou mayest easily be tempted to excess in partaking of them, and so mayest be induced to speak or act in an unbecoming manner. And put a knife to thy throat, &c. Restrain and govern thine appetite, so as to avoid all excess, as with a sword hanging over thy head, or as if a... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-35

Social-climbers and others (23:1-35)Those who seek status like to mix with the upper classes and try to copy their habits. But because of their ignorance of how to eat fine foods, they make fools of themselves and so spoil their chances of progressing up the social ladder. The food they desire becomes the means of their downfall (23:1-3). The desire for wealth can lead to disappointment (4-5), and the efforts to win the favour of others may win only their disfavour. This may particularly be the... read more

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