Proverbs 12:22-28

22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The lazy do not roast^[a] any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

Proverbs 12:22-28 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.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 13:18; Proverbs 6:17; Revelation 22:15
• 2. Psalms 18:19
• 3. S Proverbs 11:20
• 4. S Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 13:16
• 5. S Psalms 38:5; S Psalms 59:7; Proverbs 18:2
• 6. S Proverbs 10:4
• 7. Proverbs 15:13; Isaiah 50:4
• 8. S Psalms 95:10
• 9. S Deuteronomy 30:15; S Proverbs 10:2

Footnotes

• [a]. The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.