“Quando sederis ut comedas cum principe, diligenter attende quæ apposita sunt ante faciem tuam.”
“When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:”
“When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you,”
“When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;”
“When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently him that is before thee;”
Sit. Saul sat at table, and the custom of lying down was adopted only a little while before the captivity. It was recent among the Romans. (Calmet) — Soliti patres considere mensis. (Virgil, Æneid vii. 170.)
1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
Verses 1-3 God's restraints of the appetite only say, Do thyself no ( proverbs 23:4-5 ) this world are not happiness and a portion for a soul; those that hold them ever so fast, cannot hold them always, cannot hold them long. ( 6-8 ) . Do not make thyself burdensome to any, especially those not sincere. When we are called by God to his feast, and to let our souls delight themselves, Isa. 25:6 Isa. 55:2 |, we may safely partake of the Bread of life. Verse 9 . 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 ( proverbs 23:10-11 ) protection. He is their Redeemer, who will take their part; and he is mighty, almighty.