10 And behold , a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart . 11 She is boisterous and rebellious , Her feet do not remain at home ; 12 She is now in the streets , now in the squares , And lurks by every corner . 13 So she seizes him and kisses him And with a brazen face she says to him: 14 "I was due to offer peace offerings ; Today I have paid my vows . 15 "Therefore e I have come out to meet you, To seek your presence earnestly , and I have found you. 16 "I have spread my couch with coverings , With colored linens of Egypt . 17 "I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh , aloes and cinnamon . 18 "Come , let us drink our fill of love until morning ; Let us delight ourselves with caresses . 19 "For my husband is not at home , He has gone on a long e journey ; 20 He has taken a bag of money with him, At the full moon he will come home ." 21 With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him. 22 Suddenly he follows e her As an ox goes to the slaughter , Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool , 23 Until an arrow pierces through his liver ; As a bird hastens to the snare , So he does not know that it will cost him his life .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 7:10-23
Commentary on Proverbs 7:6-27
(Read Proverbs 7:6-27)
Here is an affecting example of the danger of youthful lusts. It is a history or a parable of the most instructive kind. Will any one dare to venture on temptations that lead to impurity, after Solomon has set before his eyes in so lively and plain a manner, the danger of even going near them? Then is he as the man who would dance on the edge of a lofty rock, when he has just seen another fall headlong from the same place. The misery of self-ruined sinners began in disregard to God's blessed commands. We ought daily to pray that we may be kept from running into temptation, else we invite the enemies of our souls to spread snares for us. Ever avoid the neighbourhood of vice. Beware of sins which are said to be pleasant sins. They are the more dangerous, because they most easily gain the heart, and close it against repentance. Do nothing till thou hast well considered the end of it. Were a man to live as long as Methuselah, and to spend all his days in the highest delights sin can offer, one hour of the anguish and tribulation that must follow, would far outweigh them.