Proverbs 24:17-27

17 ¹Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,

18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.

19 ²Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not ³envious of the wicked,

20 for the evil man has no ⁴future; ⁵the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, ⁶fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,

22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

More Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of ⁷the wise. ⁸Partiality in judging is not good.

24 Whoever ⁹says to the wicked, “You are in the right, ” ¹⁰will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,

25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.

26 Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.

27 ¹¹Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

Proverbs 24:17-27 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.

Cross References

• 1. 24:17 Ps. 35:15, 19; [Mic. 7:8]; See ch. 17:5
• 2. 24:19 [Jer. 12:1]; See Ps. 37:1
• 3. 24:19 ver. 1
• 4. 24:20 [See ver. 14 above]
• 5. 24:20 ch. 13:9; See Job 18:5
• 6. 24:21 1 Pet. 2:17; [Rom. 13:7]
• 7. 24:23 ch. 1:6; 22:17
• 8. 24:23 See ch. 18:5
• 9. 24:24 See ch. 17:15
• 10. 24:24 ch. 11:26
• 11. 24:27 [Luke 14:28]