Proverbs 24:11-21

11 Deliver them that are carried away unto death, And those that are ready to be slain see that thou hold back.
12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this; Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work?
13 My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste:
14 So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off.
15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place:
16 For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown;
18 Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers; Neither be thou envious at the wicked:
20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
21 My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; [And] company not with them that are given to change:

Proverbs 24:11-21 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.

The American Standard Version is in the public domain.