Proverbs 24:8-18

8 One who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.

9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

10 If you falter in the time of trouble, Your strength is small.

11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

12 If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" Doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?

13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; The droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:

14 So you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; If you have found it, then will there be a reward, Your hope will not be cut off.

15 Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting-place:

16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

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

18 Lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.

Proverbs 24:8-18 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.