Proverbs 24:16-26

16 For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise : but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.

17 If thine enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.

18 For the Lord will see , and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.

19 Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.

20 For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.

21 son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.

22 For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance by both? [A son that keeps the commandment shall escape destruction; for has fully received it. Let no falsehood be spoken by the king from the tongue; yea, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue. The king's tongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whosoever shall be given up to shall be destroyed: for if his wrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords, and devours men's bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not fit to be eaten by the young eagles. son, reverence my words, and receive them, and repent.]

23 And this thing I say to you that are wise to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations.

25 But they that reprove shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;

26 and will kiss lips that answer well.

Proverbs 24:16-26 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb. omits to the end.
• [b]. Lit. be outside of.