The isolation of poverty is one of life's harshest realities: even family members withdraw from those in need, and friends disappear when there is nothing to gain. The poor person's appeals go unanswered. Solomon is not endorsing this behaviour — he is exposing it as the painful opposite of how God calls us to treat the vulnerable.
Memory phrase: Stand by the poor.
Talk about it: How should we treat people who are going through hard times?
Prayer: God, help me stand by those who are poor and alone.