Proverbs 12:10-28

10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.

15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

16 Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.

21 No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The lazy do not roast^[a] any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

Proverbs 12:10-28 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. S Numbers 22:29
• 2. Proverbs 28:19
• 3. S Psalms 59:12; S Proverbs 10:6; Proverbs 18:7
• 4. Proverbs 21:23; 2 Peter 2:9
• 5. Proverbs 13:2; Proverbs 15:23; Proverbs 18:20
• 6. Proverbs 14:14; Isaiah 3:10-11
• 7. Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:2,25; Luke 18:11
• 8. S Proverbs 9:7-9; Proverbs 19:20
• 9. S 1 Samuel 25:25
• 10. S Job 5:2
• 11. Proverbs 29:11
• 12. S Psalms 12:2; Proverbs 14:5,25
• 13. S Psalms 55:21; Proverbs 25:18; Psalms 57:4
• 14. Proverbs 15:4
• 15. S Romans 14:19
• 16. S Job 4:7; Psalms 91:10
• 17. 1 Kings 13:18; Proverbs 6:17; Revelation 22:15
• 18. Psalms 18:19
• 19. S Proverbs 11:20
• 20. S Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 13:16
• 21. S Psalms 38:5; S Psalms 59:7; Proverbs 18:2
• 22. S Proverbs 10:4
• 23. Proverbs 15:13; Isaiah 50:4
• 24. S Psalms 95:10
• 25. S Deuteronomy 30:15; S Proverbs 10:2

Footnotes

• [a]. The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.