Proverbs 24:3-13

3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.

4 And by knowledge, rooms are filled [with] all riches, precious and pleasant.

5 The warrior of wisdom [is] in strength, and a man of knowledge is strong [in] power.

6 For with wise guidance you shall make war for yourself, and victory [is] in an abundance of counsel.

7 Wisdom [is too] high for fools; at the gate he will not open his mouth.

8 He who plans to do evil for himself, they will call [him] "master of mischief."

9 Devising folly [is] a sin, and an abomination to humankind [is] a scoffer.

10 [If] you faint on the day of adversity, little [is] your strength.

11 Rescue those who are led away to the death and those who stagger to the slaughter. If you hold back,

12 if you say, "Look, we do not know this," does not he who weighs hearts perceive [it]? And he who keeps your soul, he knows and will repay humankind according to his deeds.

13 My child, eat honey, for [it is] good, and the dripping of the honeycomb [is] sweet to your taste.

Proverbs 24:3-13 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]. Or "to"
• [b]. Or "owner"
• [c]. Or "life," or "inner self"