Proverbs 12:1-8

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.

2 A ¹good man will obtain favor from the LORD, But He will condemn a man who devises evil.

3 A man will ²not be established by wickedness, But the root of the ³righteous will not be moved.

4 An ⁴excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like ⁵rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

6 The ⁶words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, But the ⁷mouth of the upright will deliver them.

7 The ⁸wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the ⁹house of the righteous will stand.

8 A man will be praised according to his insight, But one of perverse mind will be despised.

Proverbs 12:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KING 2

This chapter gives an account of the charge David gave to his son Solomon, a little before his death, to walk in the ways of the Lord, 1Ki 2:1-4; and of some instructions delivered to him concerning some particular persons he should either show favour to, or execute justice on, 1Ki 2:5-9; and the next account in it is concerning his death and burial, and the years of his reign, 1Ki 2:10,11; after which it relates an address of Bathsheba to Solomon in favour of Adonijah, which was refused, and the issue of it was his death, 1Ki 2:12-25; and the deposition of Abiathar from the priesthood, 1Ki 2:26,27; and the putting of Joab to death for his treason and murders, 1Ki 2:28-34; in whose post Benaiah was put, as Zadok was in the place of Abiathar, 1Ki 2:35; and lastly the confinement of Shimei in Jerusalem, who had cursed David, 1Ki 2:36-38; who upon transgressing the orders given him was put to death, 1Ki 2:39-46.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 3:4; Proverbs 8:35
• 2. Proverbs 11:5
• 3. Proverbs 10:25
• 4. Proverbs 31:11; 1 Corinthians 11:7
• 5. Proverbs 14:30; Habakkuk 3:16
• 6. Proverbs 1:11, 16
• 7. Proverbs 14:3
• 8. Job 34:25; Proverbs 10:25
• 9. Matthew 7:24-27

Footnotes

• [a] Or "instruction"
• [b] Lit of "evil devices"
• [c] Or "virtuous"
• [d] Lit "heart"