Proverbs 12:21-28

21 No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.

22 False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.

23 A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.

24 The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.

25 Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.

26 The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.

27 He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.

28 In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.

Proverbs 12:21-28 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.