Proverbs 26:4-14

4 Don't answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 As an archer who wounds all, So is he who hires a fool Or he who hires those who pass by.

11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, So is a fool who repeats his folly.

12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"

14 As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.

Proverbs 26:4-14 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.