Proverbs 26:1-10

1 It shouldn't snow in summer or rain at harvest. Neither should a foolish person ever be honored.

2 Curses will not harm someone who is innocent; they are like sparrows or swallows that fly around and never land.

3 Whips are for horses, and harnesses are for donkeys, so paddles are good for fools.

4 Don't give fools a foolish answer, or you will be just like them.

5 But answer fools as they should be answered, or they will think they are really wise.

6 Sending a message by a foolish person is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison.

7 A wise saying spoken by a fool is as useless as the legs of a crippled person.

8 Giving honor to a foolish person is like tying a stone in a slingshot.

9 A wise saying spoken by a fool is like a thorn stuck in the hand of a drunk.

10 Hiring a foolish person or anyone just passing by is like an archer shooting at just anything.

Proverbs 26:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 13

In this chapter is an account of a man of God being sent to exclaim against Jeroboam's altar, and threaten its destruction, of which he gave a sign, which was accomplished, and with it the withering of the king's hand, which was healed upon the prophet's prayer for him, 1Ki 13:1-7, who would have entertained him at his house, but he refused the offer, and departed, 1Ki 13:8-10, but an old prophet in Bethel hearing of him, rode after him, and fetched him back to eat bread with him, through a lie he told him, 1Ki 13:11-19 upon which the word came to the old prophet, threatening the man of God with death for disobeying his command, and which was accordingly executed by a lion that met him in the way, and slew him, 1Ki 13:20-24, of which the old prophet being informed, went and took up his carcass, and buried it in his own sepulchre, where he charged his sons to bury him also when dead, believing that all the man of God had said would be fulfilled, 1Ki 13:25-30 and the chapter is closed with observing the continuance of Jeroboam in his idolatry, 1Ki 13:33,34.