Proverbs 24:16-26

16 for a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again, but the wicked shall fall into trouble.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth,

18 lest the LORD see it and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.

19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious of the wicked;

20 for there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king, and mingle not with them that are given to change;

22 for their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

23 These sayings also belong to the wise: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, "Thou art righteous": him shall the people curse; nations shall abhor him.

25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

26 Every man that answereth right words, giveth a kiss on the lips.

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.