Proverbs 24:1-6

1 Don't envy bad people; don't even want to be around them.
2 All they think about is causing a disturbance; all they talk about is making trouble.
3 It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation;
4 It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies.
5 It's better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day.
6 Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel.

Proverbs 24:1-6 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.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.