Proverbs 24:9-19

9 The 1devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10 If you 2are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited.
11 3Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.
12 If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not 4consider it 5who weighs the hearts? And 6does He not know it who 7keeps your soul? And will He not 8render to man according to his work?
13 My son, eat 9honey, for it is good, Yes, the 10honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
14 Know that 11wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a 12future, And your hope will not be cut off.
15 13Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place;
16 For a 14righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the 15wicked stumble in time of calamity.
17 16Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Or the LORD will see it and be displeased *, And turn His anger away from him.
19 17Do not fret because of evildoers Or be 18envious of the wicked;

Proverbs 24:9-19 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 18

  • 1. Matthew 15:19; Acts 8:22
  • 2. Deuteronomy 20:8; Job 4:5; Jeremiah 51:46; Hebrews 12:3
  • 3. Psalms 82:4; Isaiah 58:6, 7
  • 4. Ecclesiastes 5:8
  • 5. 1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 21:2
  • 6. Psalms 94:9-11
  • 7. Psalms 121:3-8
  • 8. Job 34:11; Proverbs 12:14
  • 9. Psalms 19:10; Psalms 119:103; Proverbs 25:16; Song of Songs 5:1
  • 10. Proverbs 16:24; Proverbs 27:7; Song of Songs 4:11
  • 11. Proverbs 2:10
  • 12. Proverbs 23:18
  • 13. Psalms 10:9, 10
  • 14. Job 5:19; Psalms 37:24; Micah 7:8
  • 15. Proverbs 6:15; Proverbs 14:32; Proverbs 24:22; Jeremiah 18:17
  • 16. Job 31:29; Psalms 35:15, 19; Proverbs 17:5; Obadiah 12
  • 17. Psalms 37:1
  • 18. Proverbs 23:17; Proverbs 24:1

Footnotes 3

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