Proverbs 26:2-12

2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a flying swallow, an undeserved curse will come home to roost.

3 A whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.

4 Don't answer a fool in terms of his folly, or you will be descending to his level;

5 but answer a fool as his folly deserves, so that he won't think he is wise.

6 Telling a message to a fool and sending him out is like cutting off one's feet and drinking violence.

7 The legs of the disabled hang limp and useless; likewise a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

8 Like one who ties his stone to the sling is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 Like a thorn branch in the hand of a drunk is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

10 A master can make anything, but hiring a fool is like hiring some passer-by.

11 Just as a dog returns to his vomit, a fool repeats his folly.

12 Do you see someone who thinks himself wise? There is more hope for a fool than for him!

Proverbs 26:2-12 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.