Proverbs 26:16-26

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who answer with discretion.

17 Like one who seizes a dog's ears Is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"

20 For lack of wood the fire goes out; Where there is no gossip, a quarrel dies down.

21 As coals are to hot embers, And wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, They go down into the innermost parts.

23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel Are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, But he harbors evil in his heart.

25 When his speech is charming, don't believe him; For there are seven abominations in his heart:

26 His malice may be concealed by deception, But his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Proverbs 26:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 13

In this chapter is an account of a man of God being sent to exclaim against Jeroboam's altar, and threaten its destruction, of which he gave a sign, which was accomplished, and with it the withering of the king's hand, which was healed upon the prophet's prayer for him, 1Ki 13:1-7, who would have entertained him at his house, but he refused the offer, and departed, 1Ki 13:8-10, but an old prophet in Bethel hearing of him, rode after him, and fetched him back to eat bread with him, through a lie he told him, 1Ki 13:11-19 upon which the word came to the old prophet, threatening the man of God with death for disobeying his command, and which was accordingly executed by a lion that met him in the way, and slew him, 1Ki 13:20-24, of which the old prophet being informed, went and took up his carcass, and buried it in his own sepulchre, where he charged his sons to bury him also when dead, believing that all the man of God had said would be fulfilled, 1Ki 13:25-30 and the chapter is closed with observing the continuance of Jeroboam in his idolatry, 1Ki 13:33,34.