Proverbs 24:1-10

1 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them;

2 for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of mischief.

3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;

4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge than he who has strength;

6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.

8 He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.

9 The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.

10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

Proverbs 24:1-10 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.