Mishle 24:23-34

23 These things also belong to chachamim: it is not tov to show partiality in mishpat.

24 He that saith unto the rashah, Thou are tzaddik, him shall the people curse, nations shall detest him;

25 But to them that rebuke the wicked, it is well, and birkat tov shall come upon them.

26 He that giveth an answer that is nakhon (right, correct), giveth a kiss on the sfatayim.

27 Set in order thy outside work, and make ready for thyself in the sadeh; then afterwards build thine bais.

28 Be not an ed (witness) against thy re’a without cause, and deceive not with thy sfatayim (lips).

29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me, I will render to the ish according to his work.

30 I went by the sadeh of the ish atzel (sluggard, lazy one), and went past the kerem (vineyard) of the adam chasar lev (the man void of lev [of understanding]),

31 And, hinei, it was all grown over with thorns, and charullim (nettles) had covered the surface thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32 Then I saw, and considered it well in my lev; I looked upon it, and received musar.

33 Yet a little shenot (slumber), a little sleep, a little folding of the yadayim to rest;

34 So shall thy poverty come like a prowler; and thy want like an ish mogen (armed warrior).

Mishle 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.