The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS Authors : King Solomon (I Ki 4:32), Agur (Prov 30), and King Lemuel (Prov 31) Theme : Biblical Wisdom For Everyday Living Book’s Main Character : King Solomon About the Authors :

* Solomon, whose name means “peaceable,” was the son of King David by Bathsheba. He succeeded his father David to the throne and ruled for forty years (from 1010-970 BC). His power, wealth, wisdom, and glory are unparalleled throughout history. He wrote three books: Proverbs , The Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes . * Agur, whose names means “gathered,” was the son of Jokeh. Nothing else is known about the author. * Lemuel, whose name means “Godward,” was a king. Nothing else is known about the author. About the Book : Proverbs is an inspired collection of wise and practical sayings. It is a book of contrast between wise and foolish (Prov 1-15), right and wrong (Prov 16-24), do’s and don’ts (Prov 25-31). Proverbs teaches us how to make wise decisions based on our knowledge of God’s word (1:7). Helpful Background : Proverbs was written during the early years of King Solomon’s reign around 1007 BC (I Ki 4:29-32). Because God was very pleased with Solomon’s desire to be a help to His people, He blessed Solomon and gave him great wisdom. Notes of Interest : 1. Proverbs is quoted in the NT 5 times (Prov 3:11-12 & 3:34,34 & 25:21-22 & 26:11). 2. There are no prophecies referred to in Proverbs . 3. There are no inset maps used in the book of Proverbs . 4. Proverbs refers to CHRIST 1 time (Prov 30:4) Outline of Proverbs : 1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the 1 instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 2 A wise man will hear, and will increase 8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the 6 law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 1:1 Solomon collected proverbs from many sources (Prov 30,31). He was both editor and author (I Ki 4:32). A “proverb” may be defined as a short sentence based on long experience. 1:2 Wisdom is the God-given ability to apply truth to life; to use knowledge aright ( I Cor 12:8 a ). Robert Lightner in The God of the Bible notes: Though very closely related, knowledge and wisdom are not the same. Nor do they always accompany each other. No doubt we have all known those who have acquired a great deal of facts but who lacked the ability to use them wisely. Both knowledge and wisdom are imperfect in man but perfect and perfectly related to each other in God. Only He knows how to use His infinite knowledge to the best possible end. Through His wisdom God applies His knowledge to the fulfillment of His own purposes in ways which will bring the most glory to Him. 1 1:5 THE ADAGE IS TRUE: If you chop your own wood (attain wisdom), it will warm you twice (it increases learning) 1:7 According to God’s Word, the fear of the LORD is the starting point for attaining wisdom (learning to apply truth to life - Prov 1:2,7 and Job 28:28). Wisdom is the willingness to give God the “last say” in our life ( Gen 22: 9- 12 , Deut 17:18-19 and Psa 112:1). The fear of the LORD has nothing to do with being “afraid” of God, and everything to do with simply choosing God’s Word above our own, no matter how we might feel about it (Hag 1:12, Prov 3:7 & 3:13, Exo 9:18-20 and Jere 26:18-19). We fear, not because God will harm us, but because we may harm or displease Him. The essence of God is love, not fear (I Jn 4:7-11,18-19). NOTE - Whenever Solomon stopped “ fearing ” the Lord, he lost his hold on life. Thus, God released His hold on Solomon. 1 Lightner, Robert. The God of the Bible and Other Gods , Grand Rapids, MI, Kregel Academic & Professional, 1998. Print. 946 learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their 3 dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the 4 beginning of knowledge: but 5 fools despise wisdom and instruction. 1. or, “chastening” 2. Deut 4:5-6 3. or, “riddles; parables” - Psa 78:2 4. or, “starting point” Psa 111:10 & Prov 9:10 5. or, “the mentally naïve and morally negligent” 6. Prov 6:20-21 & 23:22 & 30:17 & Eph 6:1-2 1. Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord (Prov 1-3) 2. The Benefits of Receiving Wisdom (Prov 4-7) 3. Wisdom Cries to Be Heard (Prov 8-9) 4. Wisdom and Foolishness Contrasted (Prov 10-24) 5. Do’s and Dont’s Contrasted (Prov 25-29) 6. Agur and King Lemuel’s Proverbs (Prov 30-31) Proverbs 1 God gives wisdom to those who obey the Bible Date Written - c. 1007 BC/AM 2993