Proverbs 24:22-32

22 For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance by both? [A son that keeps the commandment shall escape destruction; for has fully received it. Let no falsehood be spoken by the king from the tongue; yea, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue. The king's tongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whosoever shall be given up to shall be destroyed: for if his wrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords, and devours men's bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not fit to be eaten by the young eagles. son, reverence my words, and receive them, and repent.]

23 And this thing I say to you that are wise to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations.

25 But they that reprove shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;

26 and will kiss lips that answer well.

27 Prepare thy works for going forth, and prepare thyself for the field; and come after me, and thou shalt rebuild thine house.

28 Be not a false witness against thy citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips.

29 Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.

30 A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.

31 If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.

32 Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.

Proverbs 24:22-32 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb. omits to the end.
• [b]. Lit. be outside of.
• [c]. Gr. grass.