Proverbs 24:1-9

1 Do not envy evil people or wish you were with them,

2 because their minds plot violence, and their lips talk trouble.

3 With wisdom a house is built. With understanding it is established.

4 With knowledge its rooms are filled with every kind of riches, both precious and pleasant.

5 A strong man knows how to use his strength, but a person with knowledge is even more powerful.

6 After all, with the right strategy you can wage war, and with many advisers there is victory.

7 Matters of wisdom are beyond the grasp of a stubborn fool. At the city gate he does not open his mouth.

8 Whoever plans to do evil will be known as a schemer.

9 Foolish scheming is sinful, and a mocker is disgusting to everyone.

Proverbs 24:1-9 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.