Proverbs 29:4-14

4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for^[a] bribes tear it down.

5 Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.

6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

8 Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.

9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright.

11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.

14 If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.

Proverbs 29:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 16

This chapter contains a prophecy of the ruin of the family of Baasha, and an account of his death, 1Ki 16:1-7, and of his son's reigning in his stead two years, who was slain by Zimri one of his captains, 1Ki 16:8-14, and who reigned but seven days, 1Ki 16:15-20, and the people being divided between Tibni and Omri, the party for the latter prevailed, and he was made king, and reigned twelve years, 1Ki 16:21-28, and was succeeded by his son Ahab, a very wicked prince, 1Ki 16:29-33, and the chapter is concluded with the rebuilding of Jericho, 1Ki 16:34.

Cross References

• 1. ver 14; S Proverbs 8:15-16
• 2. S Job 32:21; S Proverbs 26:28
• 3. S Job 5:13; S Proverbs 26:27; Ecclesiastes 9:12
• 4. Job 29:16; Psalms 41:1; Proverbs 31:8-9
• 5. Proverbs 11:11; S Proverbs 16:14
• 6. ver 27; 1 John 3:12
• 7. S Job 15:13
• 8. Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 19:11
• 9. 2 Kings 21:9
• 10. S Job 34:30
• 11. S Proverbs 22:2; Matthew 5:45
• 12. S ver 4; Psalms 72:1-5; S Proverbs 16:12

Footnotes

• [a] Or "who give"