Proverbs
The
book
of
Proverbs
opens
with
The
proverbs
of
Solomon
the
son
of
David,
the
king
of
Israel.
However,
the
structure
of
this
book
tells
us
that
this
is
a
compilation
from
sources
other
than
just
Solomon
and,
in
the
form
we
have
it,
was
compiled
some
three
centuries
after Solomon’s time.
First
Kings
4:32
reads,
He
spake
three
thousand
proverbs
.
With
such
a
number
quoted,
there
must
at
some
time
have
been
a
known
collection
of
Solomon’s
proverbs.
Clearly,
there
is
only
a
small
proportion
here
in
this
book,
the
remainder
of
which
are
lost
to
us.
Theologians
don’t
all
agree
on
how
far
this
book
goes
in
providing
us
with
teachings
of
Solomon
himself,
what
portions
may
be
attributed
to
him
and
what
may
be
attributed
to
later
writers.
Nevertheless,
the
book
can
be
readily
divided
into
sections,
which
probably goes some way to answering this.
However,
we
shouldn’t
be
too
concerned
about
differing
opinions
of
theologians
and
commentators.
It
is
sufficient
to
know
that
All
scripture
is
given
by
inspiration
of
God,
and
is
profitable
for
doctrine,
for
reproof,
for
correction,
for
instruction
in
righteousness
[2Tim
3:16]
.
The
only
problem,
perhaps,
is
that
the
way
the
proverbs
read
is
as
if
someone
threw
them
all
into
a
hat
and
then
picked
them
out
randomly
to
record
them.
For
this
reason,
some
have
categorised
the
proverbs
by
subject
matter.
This
is
somewhat
subjective
as
witnessed
by
the
varying
number
of
categories
used:
Matthew
Henry
offers
seventy-seven;
Hugh
Buchanan
forty-four;
Thompson
Chain
Reference
Study
Bible
twenty-two;
and
The
Lion
Handbook
to
the
Bible
just
sixteen.
If
the
reader
likes
the
idea
of
reading
through the proverbs in this way, and has access to the Internet, then a search will probably find a categorisation that suits.
As
there
are
thirty-one
chapters,
a
popular
way
of
reading
this
book
is
a
chapter
a
day.
This
is
as
good
a
process
as
any
to
familiarise oneself with Proverbs.
The
random
manner
of
the
proverbs
makes
it
almost
impossible
to
provide
a
summary
without
commenting
on
each
individual
proverb, which isn’t a summary. Consequently, there is a limitation on what can be achieved here.
Including the introductory verses in ch1 vs1-7, the book can be divided into eight sections:
Prologue [1:1-7]
Lessons on wisdom [1:8-9:18]
Proverbs of Solomon [10:1-22:16]
A collection of thirty sayings of wise men [22:17-24:22]
A further collection of sayings of wise men [24:23-34]
More of Solomon’s proverbs (Hezekiah’s collection) [chs 25-29]
Sayings of Agur [ch 30]
Sayings of King Lemuel [ch 31]
Prologue
[Pro 1:1-7]
Here
we
have
the
purpose
of
these
proverbs:
to
know
wisdom
and
gain
understanding.
Primarily
intended
as
instruction
for
the
uneducated and young, but the wise will also benefit. All will grow in understanding and knowledge.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Lessons on Wisdom
[Pro 1:8-9:18]
The superiority of the way of wisdom
[Pro 1:8-33]
Before
presenting
the
reader
with
a
selection
of
proverbs,
the
writer
offers
some
lessons
on
wisdom,
speaking
as
a
father
to
his
son.
He
speaks
of
the
superior
way
of
wisdom,
beginning
with
the
necessary
caution
to
avoid
the
company
of
sinners,
and
to
listen
instead
to
the
voice
of
Wisdom,
personified,
complaining
that
she
is
ignored,
even
being
treated
with
contempt.
She
warns
those
who
ignore
her counsels that there will be serious consequences.
Commendation of Wisdom
[Pro 2-4]
Chapter 2 - Benefits of accepting Wisdom's instructions
If
Wisdom
is
sought,
then
she
will
be
found
in
the
fear
of
the
Lord,
who
is
the
giver
of
all
wisdom
and
its
consequential
knowledge.
She will protect you from falling into wrong company, both male and female, and lead you to the path of righteousness.
Chapter 3 - Wisdom’s instructions and benefits
Wisdom
teaches
obedience,
trust,
humility,
giving
and
submission
to
God’s
chastening,
the
benefits
of
which
riches
cannot
buy:
peace,
happiness
and
security.
We
are
not
to
hold
back
from
doing
good,
practising
love
and
forbearance
continually.
The
wicked
and
their ways are not to be envied, for the humble and wise will be the beneficiaries of God’s grace.
Chapter 4 - Challenge to hold on to wisdom
Wisdom
should
be
passed
from
father
to
son;
should
be
embraced
and
not
forgotten.
Wisdom
is
life
and
her
path
is
as
a
shining
light,
whereas
the
way
of
the
wicked
is
as
darkness.
Keep
wisdom
in
your
heart
and
do
not
deviate
in
any
way
from
the
path
she
leads
you down.
Warnings against folly
[Pro 5-7]
Chapter 5 - Warning against adultery
The
character
of
a
loose
woman
is
described,
as
are
the
dire
consequences
of
submitting
to
her
enticing
words.
Rather
than
submit,
rejoice in the wife of your youth and the pleasures of conjugal love, for to do otherwise is folly and has its cost.
Chapter 6:1-19 - Warning against perverse ways
There
are
things
the
author
describes
as
perverse,
which
include
becoming
surety
for
others,
slothfulness
and
a
mischievous
person.
We
are
then
given
seven
things
that
God
hates:
a
proud
look;
a
lying
tongue;
hands
that
shed
innocent
blood;
a
heart
that
plans
wicked things; feet that are swift to run to mischief; a false witness; one who stirs up trouble amongst friends.
Chapter 6:20-35 - Cost of committing adultery
The
author
provides
an
exhortation
to
keep
the
Word
of
God
in
our
hearts,
before
returning
to
the
subject
of
adultery
and
repeated
warnings
of
whoredom
and
adultery
that
can
destroy
a
man’s
soul.
A
warning
is
given
concerning
the
jealousy
of
an
adulteress’s
husband.
Chapter 7 - Warning against the incitements of an adulteress
A
nother
exhortation
to
acquire
wisdom
as
armour
against
the
adulteress.
This
time,
an
observation
of
a
harlot
at
work
is
recorded,
enticing
a
young
man
who
is
seemingly
unaware
of
his
spiritual
fate.
It
is
followed
by
a
solemn
warning
that
Her
house
is
the
way
to
hell.
Appeals addressed to youth
[Pro 8,9]
Chapter 8 - Wisdom’s appeal
Wisdom’s
appeal
is
addressed
to
all
men.
The
excellence
of
her
instruction
and
the
value
of
it
exceed
any
earthly
riches,
and
benefit
those
who
submit
to
her
counsel.
Wisdom
has
existed
from
the
beginning,
the
very
first
of
all
creation.
Only
those
who
heed
her
counsels are blessed.
Chapter 9 - Invitations of wisdom and folly
We
are
now
invited
by
Christ,
under
the
name
of
Wisdom,
to
enter
into
fellowship
and
communion
with
Him.
Fear
of
God
is
what
is
required
from
us,
but
the
choice
is
ours.
For
we
are
also
invited
by
folly,
in
the
name
of
a
foolish
woman,
to
commune
with
her,
but
her
reward is spiritual death.
Proverbs of Solomon
[Pro 10:1-22:16]
Other
than
the
introductory
words
of
10:1
–
These
are
Solomon’s
proverbs
–
this
section
is
devoted
entirely
to
proverbs,
many
of
which
are
within
a
single
verse,
and
most
of
which
have
no
relationship
to
adjacent
proverbs.
Consequently,
as
alluded
to
earlier,
there
is
no
opportunity here to summarise them.
Sayings of the wise
[Pro 22:17-24:22]
This
is
reckoned
as
the
beginning
of
a
new
section,
introduced
by
the
words
of
verse
17:
Bow
down
thine
ear,
and
hear
the
words
of
the
wise.
Who
wrote
these
words
and
who
‘the
wise’
are
appear
to
be
matters
of
theological
debate.
What
is
notable
is
that
following
verses
17
to
21,
which
are
an
encouragement
in
the
pursuit
of
wisdom,
the
proverbs
are
generally
expressed
in
more
than
one
verse.
A change in style to Solomon’s proverbs earlier.
More sayings of the wise
[Pro 24:23-34]
Verse 23 begins
The wise have also said these things
: and announces a new group of just a few proverbs.
Proverbs of Solomon - Hezekiah’s collection
[Pro 25-29]
Hezekiah
was
one
of
the
great
kings
of
Israel
who
brought
about
a
reformation.
It
is
perhaps
not
surprising,
then,
that
he
collected
some of Solomon’s proverbs, recorded here.
As in Solomon’s proverbs in earlier chapters, they are now predominantly one-liners and summarising them is impractical.
Sayings of Agur
[Pro 30]
Regardless of some speculation or theories, we don’t know who Agur was.
The structure of this small collection of proverbs allows the following summary.
Agur
first
professes
his
faith
and
offers
a
short
prayer.
He
then
gives
a
caution
against
wronging
servants
before
he
delivers
his
proverbs
grouped
in
fours.
The
first
two
are
reflections
on
four
wicked
generations
and
four
things
that
are
never
satisfied.
A
caution
then
follows
against
one
who
despises
his
parents
before
following
with
four
things
he
finds
too
wonderful
for
him,
four
things
that
disquiet
the
land,
four
small
but
wise
animals,
then
four
things
that
go
well.
Finally,
there
is
a
warning
against
doing
foolish
things
that
will lead to strife.
Sayings of King Lemuel
[Pro 31]
This
final
section
is
The
words
of
king
Lemuel,
the
prophecy
that
his
mother
taugh
him
(verse
1).
This
is
the
only
mention
of
King
Lemuel
in
the
Bible,
so
we
don’t
know
who
he
is.
Some
say
he
is
Solomon,
but
careful
consideration
of
verse
two
speaks
against
this
view.
Lemuel’s
mother
advises
him
against
debauchery,
wine
and
strong
drink,
as
these
things
have
the
potential
of
adversely
affecting
both kings and their subjects when administering justice.
She
then
describes
at
length
a
virtuous
woman
whose
many
qualities
will
cause
her
children
to
call
her
blessed
and
her
husband
to
praise her.Such a woman is one who fears God.
Hierarchical Précis