Proverbs 26:2-12

2 As the sparrow in its wandering, as the swallow in its flight, so the curse causeless shall never come.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

4 Never answer a fool according to his folly lest thou also be like unto him.

5 Answer the fool showing him his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6 He that gives responsibility to one who is not able to carry it out is like him that sends a message by the hand of a fool, and he shall drink the damage.

7 Like unto the way that the one who is lame walks, so is a proverb in the mouth of the fool.

8 As he that binds the stone in the sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.

9 As thorns sunk into the hand of one who is drunk, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 The great God that formed all things rewards both the fool and transgressors.

11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so the fool returns to his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs 26:2-12 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.