Proverbs 24:11-21

11 Yes, rescue those being dragged off to death -won't you save those about to be killed?

12 If you say, "We knew nothing about it,"won't he who weighs hearts discern it? Yes, he who guards you will know it and repay each one as his deeds deserve.

13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; honeycomb drippings are sweet to your taste.

14 Know that wisdom is similar[ly sweet] to your soul; if you find it, then you will have a future, what you hope for will not be cut off.

15 Don't lurk like an outlaw near the home of the righteous, don't raid the place where he lives.

16 For though he falls seven times, he will get up again; it's the wicked who fail under stress.

17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls; don't let your heart be glad when he stumbles.

18 For ADONAI might see it, and it would displease him; he might withdraw his anger from your foe.

19 Don't get upset because of evildoers; don't be envious of the wicked.

20 For the evil person has no future -the lamp of the wicked will go out.

21 My son, don't get involved with revolutionaries, but fear ADONAI and the king.

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.