Proverbs 24:9-19

9 The devising of foolishness is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

10 If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.

11 Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.

12 If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

13 My son, eat honey because it is good, And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;

14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.

15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not plunder his resting place;

16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.

19 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked;

Proverbs 24:9-19 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.