Proverbs 24:21-31

21 My child, respect the Lord and the king. Don't join those people who refuse to obey them.

22 The Lord and the king will quickly destroy such people. Those two can cause great disaster!

23 These are also sayings of the wise: It is not good to take sides when you are the judge.

24 Don't tell the wicked that they are innocent; people will curse you, and nations will hate you.

25 But things will go well if you punish the guilty, and you will receive rich blessings.

26 An honest answer is as pleasing as a kiss on the lips.

27 First, finish your outside work and prepare your fields. After that, you can build your house.

28 Don't testify against your neighbor for no good reason. Don't say things that are false.

29 Don't say, "I'll get even; I'll do to him what he did to me."

30 I passed by a lazy person's field and by the vineyard of someone with no sense.

31 Thorns had grown up everywhere. The ground was covered with weeds, and the stone walls had fallen down.

Proverbs 24:21-31 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.