Proverbs 19:2-12

2 Even zeal is not good without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily^[a] sins.^[b]

3 A man's own foolishness leads him astray, yet his heart rages against the Lord.

4 Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is separated from his friend.^[c]

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.^[d]

6 Many seek the favor of a ruler,^[e] and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.^[f]

7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends keep their distance from him! He may pursue [them with] words, [but] they are not [there].^[g]

8 The one who acquires good sense^[h] loves himself; one who safeguards understanding finds success.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies perishes.^[i]

10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool- how much less for a slave to rule over princes!^[j]

11 A person's insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.^[k]

12 A king's rage is like a lion's roar, but his favor is like dew on the grass.^[l]

Proverbs 19:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 8

This chapter gives an account of the introduction of the ark into the temple, 1Ki 8:1-9 of the glory of the Lord filling it, 1Ki 8:10,11 of a speech Solomon made to the people concerning the building of the temple, and how he came to be engaged in it, 1Ki 8:12-21, of a prayer of his he put up on this occasion, requesting, that what supplications soever were made at any time, or on any account, by Israelites or strangers, might be accepted by the Lord, 1Ki 8:22-53, and of his blessing the people of Israel at the close of it, with some useful exhortations, 1Ki 8:54-61, and of the great number of sacrifices offered up by him, and the feast he made for the people, upon which he dismissed them, 1Ki 8:62-66.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit who is hasty with feet
• [b]. Pr 21:5; 28:20; 29:20
• [c]. Pr 14:20; 19:6
• [d]. Pr 19:9; 21:28
• [e]. Pr 29:26
• [f]. Pr 14:20; 17:8; 19:4
• [g]. Hb uncertain in this line
• [h]. Lit acquires a heart
• [i]. Pr 19:5; 21:28
• [j]. Pr 26:1
• [k]. Pr 11:13; 17:9
• [l]. Pr 20:2; 28:15