Proverbs 12:7-17

7 Wicked people fall to pieces - there's nothing to them; the homes of good people hold together.

8 A person who talks sense is honored; airheads are held in contempt.

9 Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process.

10 Good people are good to their animals; the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them.

11 The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies.

12 What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin, while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life. Wise People Take Advice

13 The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

14 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward.

15 Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.

16 Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

17 Truthful witness by a good person clears the air, but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.

Proverbs 12:7-17 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.