Proverbs 24:23-34

23 These also are sayings of the wise: Showing partiality in judgment is not good.

24 He who tells the guilty, "You are innocent,"will be cursed by peoples, reviled by nations;

25 but with those who condemn him, things will go well, and a good blessing will come upon them.

26 Giving an honest answer is like giving a kiss.

27 Prepare your outside work, and get things ready for yourself on the land; after that, build your house.

28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor for no reason -would you use your lips to deceive?

29 Don't say, "I'll do to him what he did to me, I'll pay him back what his deeds deserve."

30 I passed by the field of the lazy man and the vineyard of the man lacking sense.

31 There it was, overgrown with thistles; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

32 I looked, and I thought about it; I saw, and I learned this lesson:

33 "I'll just lie here a bit, rest a little longer, just fold my hands for a little more sleep"-

34 and poverty comes marching in on you, scarcity hits you like an invading soldier.

Proverbs 24:23-34 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.