What does Proverbs 7:18 mean?

The promiscuous wife (Proverbs 7:19) of Solomon's lesson about adultery (Proverbs 7:6–12) invites the foolish young man to accompany her, with the promise of a night filled with pleasure. She has already tempted him with seductive clothing (Proverbs 7:10), surprise (Proverbs 7:13), flattery (Proverbs 7:15), and the promise of a prepared boudoir (Proverbs 7:16–17). Using these elements in his tale is one way for Solomon to remind his son (Proverbs 7:1) of the tactics wicked people will use to tempt others to join in their sin. As such, these are dangers which just as easily apply to women as they do to men, and just as easily to other forms of sin as to adultery.

This predatory woman assures her victim the experience will be delightful. The love she promises is not divinely sanctioned love, but shallow lust.

In John 3:16 we read about true love, the highest form of love, in connection with the Father's gift of His Son as our Savior. He "so loved the world, that he gave his only Son." The word for "love" in John 3:16 is derived from agape, meaning self-sacrificing love. The same word appears in Romans 5:8, where we read, "But God shows his love [agape] for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It appears in Ephesians 5:25, where husbands are commanded to love [agape] their wives. Agape love puts others' interests ahead of one's own interest. It always gives and never takes.