Proverbs 12:22-28

22 ¹Lying lips are ²an abomination to the LORD, ³but those who act faithfully are his delight.

23 ⁴A prudent man conceals knowledge, ⁵but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

24 ⁶The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be ⁷put to forced labor.

25 ⁸Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,^[a] but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 ⁹Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.^[b]

28 ¹⁰In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

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. [Revelation 22:15]; See Proverbs 6:17
• 2. Proverbs 11:20
• 3. [Proverbs 11:1]
• 4. [Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 15:2]
• 5. [Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 15:2]
• 6. [Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 13:4]
• 7. [Genesis 49:15; 1 Kings 9:21]
• 8. Proverbs 15:13; [Proverbs 17:22]
• 9. [ver. 24]
• 10. See Proverbs 10:2

Footnotes

• [a]. Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully
• [b]. Or but diligence is precious wealth