Proverbs 12:8-18

8 One is commended for good sense, but a perverse mind is despised.

9 Better to be despised and have a servant, than to be self-important and lack food.

10 The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

11 Those who till their land will have plenty of food, but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.

12 The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips, but the righteous escape from trouble.

14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things, and manual labor has its reward.

15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice.

16 Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult.

17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully.

18 Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:8-18 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or [covet the catch of the wicked]