Proverbs 24:23-34

23 These sayings also belong to the wise: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, "Thou art righteous": him shall the people curse; nations shall abhor him.

25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

26 Every man that answereth right words, giveth a kiss on the lips.

27 Prepare thy work outside, and make ready the field for thyself; and afterwards build thine house.

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause, and deceive not with thy lips.

29 Say not: "I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32 Then I saw and considered it well; I looked upon it, and received instruction:

33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep--

34 so shall thy poverty come as one that wandereth, and thy want as an armed man.

Proverbs 24:23-34 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.