Proverbs 24:19-29

19 Do not meddle with those who are evil, neither be envious of the wicked;

20 for the evil man shall not come to a good end; the fire of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not meddle with those that are given to change,

22 for their calamity shall rise suddenly; and the ruin of them both, who shall know it?

23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the peoples curse, nations shall abhor him:

25 But unto those that rebuke him shall be delight, and a blessing of good shall come upon them.

26 The lips of the one that gives a right answer shall be kissed.

27 Prepare thy work without and make it fit for thyself in thine inheritance, and afterwards thou shalt build thine house.

28 Do not be a false witness against thy neighbour, and do not flatter with thy lips.

29 Do not say, I will do unto him as he has done unto me; I will render to the man according to his work.

Proverbs 24:19-29 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.