Proverbs 24:11-21

11 If thou forbearest to deliver [them that are] drawn to death, and [those that are] ready to be slain;

12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and will [not] he render to [every] man according to his works?

13 My son, eat thou honey, because [it is] good; and the honey-comb, [which is] sweet to thy taste:

14 So [shall] the knowledge of wisdom [be] to thy soul: when thou hast found [it], then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; destroy not his resting-place:

16 For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17 Rejoice not when thy enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth:

18 Lest the LORD see [it], and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Fret not thyself because of evil [men], neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20 For there shall be no reward to the evil [man]; the candle of the wicked shall be extinguished.

21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not with them that are given to change:

Proverbs 24:11-21 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.