Proverbs 24:1-10

1 Don't be envious of evil people, and don't try to make friends with them.

2 Causing trouble is all they ever think about; every time they open their mouth someone is going to be hurt.

3 Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding.

4 Where there is knowledge, the rooms are furnished with valuable, beautiful things.

5 Being wise is better than being strong; yes, knowledge is more important than strength.

6 After all, you must make careful plans before you fight a battle, and the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win.

7 Wise sayings are too deep for stupid people to understand. They have nothing to say when important matters are being discussed.

8 If you are always planning evil, you will earn a reputation as a troublemaker.

9 Any scheme a fool thinks up is sinful. People hate a person who has nothing but scorn for others.

10 If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed.

Proverbs 24:1-10 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Homes . . . understanding; [or] It takes care to lay the foundations of a house, and skill to build it.
• [b]. [Some ancient translations] Being wise is better than being strong; [Hebrew] A person is wise in strength.