Proverbs 24:20-30

20 For the evil person has no future -the lamp of the wicked will go out.

21 My son, don't get involved with revolutionaries, but fear ADONAI and the king.

22 For disaster from them will suddenly appear, and who knows what ruin they both can cause?

23 These also are sayings of the wise: Showing partiality in judgment is not good.

24 He who tells the guilty, "You are innocent,"will be cursed by peoples, reviled by nations;

25 but with those who condemn him, things will go well, and a good blessing will come upon them.

26 Giving an honest answer is like giving a kiss.

27 Prepare your outside work, and get things ready for yourself on the land; after that, build your house.

28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor for no reason -would you use your lips to deceive?

29 Don't say, "I'll do to him what he did to me, I'll pay him back what his deeds deserve."

30 I passed by the field of the lazy man and the vineyard of the man lacking sense.

Proverbs 24:20-30 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.