Proverbs 12:3-13

3 A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.

4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.

5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked -- deceit.

6 The words of the wicked [are]: `Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.

7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.

8 According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.

9 Better [is] the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.

10 The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,

12 The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.

13 In transgression of the lips [is] the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.

Proverbs 12:3-13 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.