Proverbs 24:24-34

24 Those who say to the guilty, "You are innocent"— the people will curse them. Nations will condemn them.
25 But it will go well for those who rebuke them. A rich blessing will come to them.
26 Those who speak honestly are like those who kiss on the lips.
27 Get your outside work done; make preparations in the field; then you can build your house.
28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor without reason; don't deceive with your lips.
29 Don't say, "I'll do to them what they did to me. I'll pay them back for their actions."
30 I happened upon the field of a lazy person, by the vineyard of one with no sense.
31 Thorns grew all over it; weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was falling down.
32 I observed this and took it to heart; I saw it and learned a lesson.
33 "A little sleep, a little slumber,
34 a little lying down with folded arms"— and poverty will come on you like a prowler, deprivation like a man with a shield.

Proverbs 24:24-34 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 12

This chapter relates Rehoboam's going to Shechem to be made king, and Jeroboam's return from Egypt, 1Ki 12:1,2, the people's request to Rehoboam to be eased of their taxes, as the condition of making him king, 1Ki 12:3,4, his answer to them, after three days, having had the advice both of the old and young men, which latter he followed, and gave in a rough answer, 1Ki 12:5-15, upon which ten tribes revolted from him, and two abode by him, 1Ki 12:16-20, wherefore he meditated a war against the ten tribes, but was forbid by the Lord to engage in it, 1Ki 12:21-24 and Jeroboam, in order to establish his kingdom, and preserve the people from a revolt to the house of David, because of the temple worship at Jerusalem, devised a scheme of idolatrous worship in his own territories, 1Ki 12:25-33.

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