Proverbs 24:1-11

1 Be not envious of evil men, And desire not to be with them.

2 For destruction doth their heart meditate, And perverseness do their lips speak.

3 By wisdom is a house builded, And by understanding it establisheth itself.

4 And by knowledge the inner parts are filled, [With] all precious and pleasant wealth.

5 Mighty [is] the wise in strength, And a man of knowledge is strengthening power,

6 For by plans thou makest for thyself war, And deliverance [is] in a multitude of counsellors.

7 Wisdom [is] high for a fool, In the gate he openeth not his mouth.

8 Whoso is devising to do evil, Him they call a master of wicked thoughts.

9 The thought of folly [is] sin, And an abomination to man [is] a scorner.

10 Thou hast shewed thyself weak in a day of adversity, Straitened is thy power,

11 If [from] delivering those taken to death, And those slipping to the slaughter -- thou keepest back.

Proverbs 24:1-11 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.