Proverbs 23:2-3 NIV

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 23:2

And put a knife to thy throat ,.... Refrain from too much talk at the table; give not too loose to thy tongue, but bridle it, considering in whose presence thou art; do not use too much freedom, either with the ruler or fellow guests; which, when persons have ate and drank well, they are too apt to do, and sometimes say things offensive to one or the other; it is good for a man to be upon his guard; see Ecclesiastes 5:2 . Or restrain thine appetite; deny thyself of some things agreeable,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:3

Be not desirous of his dainties ,.... His savoury food, which is very grateful to the taste, his rich provisions and royal dainties; do not lust after them, as the word F19 אל תתאו "ne concupiscas", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Schultens; "ne coucupiscito", Piscator. signifies, in an immoderate way, as the Israelites lusted after the fleshpots in Egypt: these may be lawfully desired, but not sinfully lusted after; and in feeding on them nature may be satisfied,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 23:2

Put a knife to thy throat - Repress thy appetite, and do not be incontinent of speech. Eat, drink, and converse, under a check. 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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 23:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:3

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