Matthew Henry Commentary Proverbs 23
Matthew Henry Commentary
Proverbs 23
Matthew Henry Commentary
Proverbs 23
"When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently him that is before thee; And put a knife to thy throat, If thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties; Seeing they are deceitful food." — Proverbs 23:1-3 (ASV)
God's restraints of the appetite only say, Do thyself no harm.
"Weary not thyself to be rich; Cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For [riches] certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainties: For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words." — Proverbs 23:4-8 (ASV)
Do not be among those who desire to be rich. The things of this world are not happiness and a portion for a soul; those who hold them ever so firmly, cannot hold them always, cannot hold them long.
"Weary not thyself to be rich; Cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For [riches] certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainties: For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words." — Proverbs 23:4-8 (ASV)
Do not make yourself burdensome to anyone, especially those not sincere. When we are called by God to his feast, and to let our souls delight themselves (Isaiah 25:6; Isaiah 55:2), we may safely partake of the Bread of life.
"Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words." — Proverbs 23:9 (ASV)
It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of Divine things; but if what a wise man says will not be heard, let him hold his peace.
"Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless: For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against thee." — Proverbs 23:10-11 (ASV)
The fatherless are taken under God's special protection. He is their Redeemer, who will defend them; and he is mighty, almighty.
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