Proverbs 12:5-15

5 The thoughts of righteous people are fair. The advice of wicked people is treacherous.

6 The words of wicked people are a deadly ambush, but the words of decent people rescue.

7 Overthrow wicked people, and they are no more, but the families of righteous people continue to stand.

8 A person will be praised based on his insight, but whoever has a twisted mind will be despised.

9 Better to be unimportant and have a slave than to act important and have nothing to eat.

10 A righteous person cares [even] about the life of his animals, but the compassion of wicked people is [nothing but] cruelty.

11 Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat, but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.

12 A wicked person delights in setting a trap for [other] evil people, but the roots of righteous people produce [fruit].

13 An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk, but a righteous person escapes from trouble.

14 One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability. Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished.

15 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise.

Proverbs 12:5-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KING 2

This chapter gives an account of the charge David gave to his son Solomon, a little before his death, to walk in the ways of the Lord, 1Ki 2:1-4; and of some instructions delivered to him concerning some particular persons he should either show favour to, or execute justice on, 1Ki 2:5-9; and the next account in it is concerning his death and burial, and the years of his reign, 1Ki 2:10,11; after which it relates an address of Bathsheba to Solomon in favour of Adonijah, which was refused, and the issue of it was his death, 1Ki 2:12-25; and the deposition of Abiathar from the priesthood, 1Ki 2:26,27; and the putting of Joab to death for his treason and murders, 1Ki 2:28-34; in whose post Benaiah was put, as Zadok was in the place of Abiathar, 1Ki 2:35; and lastly the confinement of Shimei in Jerusalem, who had cursed David, 1Ki 2:36-38; who upon transgressing the orders given him was put to death, 1Ki 2:39-46.