Proverbs 24:2-12

2 For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.

3 A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.

4 By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.

5 A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.

6 War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.

7 Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,

8 but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed .

9 The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness to a pestilent man.

10 He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.

11 Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not .

12 But if thou shouldest say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.

Proverbs 24:2-12 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.