Proverbs 1:1-9

CHAPTER 1
TEXT Proverbs 1:1-9

1.

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

2.

To know wisdom and instruction;

To discern the words of understanding;

3.

To receive instruction in wise dealing,

In righteousness and justice and equity;

4.

To give prudence to the simple,

To the young man knowledge and discretion;

5.

That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;

And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels;

6.

To understand a proverb, and a figure,

The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

7.

The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge;

But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

8.

My son, hear the instruction of thy father,

And forsake not the law of thy mother:

9.

For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head,

And chains about thy neck.

STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 1:1-9

1.

Compile background information on Solomon besides the 2 things mentioned in Proverbs 1:1.

2.

What other books of the Bible did Solomon write?

3.

The first purpose of Proverbs is to help one know ............. (Proverbs 1:2-6).

4.

What is the meaning of discern (Proverbs 1:2)?

5.

What is meant by wise dealing (Proverbs 1:3)?

6.

What is the meaning of equity (Proverbs 1:3)?

7.

What does prudence mean (Proverbs 1:4)?

8.

What would be the purpose of Proverbs to one who is already wise (Proverbs 1:5)?

9.

What is meant by dark sayings (Proverbs 1:6)?

10.

What is the first proverb (or wise saying) in the book Proverbs 1:7?

11.

What in Proverbs 1:8 shows that mothers should join fathers in laying down the law to their children?

12.

What was a chaplet (Proverbs 1:9)?

13.

What New Testament passages also describe virtues as ornaments (Proverbs 1:9)?

PARAPHRASE OF 1:1-9

1.

These are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel, David's son:

2-6.

He wrote them to teach his people how to livehow to act in every circumstance, for he wanted them to be understanding, just and fair in everything they did. I want to make the simple-minded wise! he said. I want to warn young men about some problems they will face. I want those already wise to become the wiser and become leaders by exploring the depths of meaning in these nuggets of truth.

7-9.

How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord! Only fools refuse to be taught. Listen to your father and mother. What you learn from them will stand you in good stead; it will gain you many honors.

COMMENTS ON 1:1-9

Proverbs 1:1. A proverb is a wise saying. Solomon (the author of all the book except the final Chapter s) was famous for the proverbs that he spokeand he spoke 3,000 of them (1 Kings 4:32), which is more than we have in this book. Solomon is the first of the sacred writers whose name stands at the head of his works (Clarke). Because the first 9 Chapter s of the book are extended material (chiefly on wisdom) rather than short sayings, though the title of the book is Proverbs, Proverbs 10:1 is where the actual sayings themselves begin (note that verse). Solomon was David's son by Bathsheba, who had been the wife of Uriah (Matthew 1:6). He became king of Israel during his father's final days of infirmity even though his brother Adonijah (Adonijah had a different mother than Solomon) had tried to beat him out of the kingship (1 Kings 1:5-40).

Proverbs 1:2. The purpose of this divine book is spelled out in a series of infinitives. Wisdom is the goal, and instruction is the method of gaining it. The end-result is that the listener himself will be able to discern the words of understanding by having this divine wisdom laid up in his mind and heart.

Proverbs 1:3. The instruction to be given was to teach wise dealing (wisdom and prudence), righteousness (not show how to beat somebody out of what was rightfully his), and justice and equity (what is fair and honest). Oh, that all our education were bent on making men right, honest, and upright and not merely to make them richer by whatever means they may follow to become such!

Proverbs 1:4. Sayings (whether Biblical sayings or otherwise) are made by older, wiser people who have been over many of the roads of life and who desire to pass on portions of their knowledge to the younger and to the lesser experienced. Actually, then, when one knows, quotes, and follows time-honored sayings, he is actually speaking and being guided by a knowledge superior to that which he would know on his own.

Proverbs 1:5. This verse goes a step farther: it shows that the wise and experienced also profit by the wisdom and sayings of others. Nobody is a first-hand expert in all fields so that he cannot profit by the wisdom of others in those fields in which he has not the opportunity to turn his special attention. But even if he has, he may still profit by the wisdom couched in such sayings of others. In fact, it is the wise who are always seeking to advance their knowledge, and a wise man is a joy to teach: Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning (Proverbs 9:9).

Proverbs 1:6. We live in a world where figures of speech, informed comparisons, big and technical words, etc. are often heard. If we are not posted in the understanding and handling of such, we can draw wrong conclusions, misuse words, and in general betray our ignorance. Thus, Proverbs 26:7; Proverbs 26:9 both speak of a parable in the mouth of fools. The Bible also employs the parabolic in its teachings (I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of oldPsalms 78:2). Jesus spoke many things in parables and at times used language that confounded His hearers. Even the disciples were able to grasp the meaning of other forms of expression more readily: Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no dark saying (John 16:29). Prophecy (especially the book of Revelation) is written in such a way that one needs a good knowledge of history to understand its symbols and predictions. Peter acknowledges that Paul's writings contain some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest (2 Peter 3:16).

Proverbs 1:7. We might say that this verse contains the first actual proverb or saying in the book, and it rightfully begins where the whole Bible itself beginswith God (Jehovah). The fear of the Lord signifies that religious reverence which every intelligent being owes to his Creator...No man can ever become truly wise who does not begin with God (Clarke). Other like passages of the fear of Jehovah as the beginning of wisdom: Proverbs 9:10; Psalms 111:10; Job 28:28. The implied contrast within our verse is that the foolish do not fear Jehovah and, therefore, despise wisdom and instruction. Note Proverbs 1:1 for the connection between wisdom and instruction. Those who do not fear come to despise. 2 Peter 2:10 shows this: ...despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities. Special instructions, both in the Old and New Testaments, grow out of this fact: Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words (Proverbs 23:9): Neither cast your pearls before swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you. (Matthew 7:6).

Proverbs 1:8. Though Solomon had many wives and concubines (700 of the first and 300 of the second1 Kings 11:3), and we consequently assume numerous sons, it is a surprising fact that we know the name of only one of his sons (Rehoboam, who succeeded him on the throne in Jerusalem). It is likely that the material presented in Proverbs that says, My son (this verse: Proverbs 1:15, Proverbs 2:1; Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 3:3; Proverbs 3:11; etc.), was originally Solomon's material to his son Rehobaom. However, the expression, My sons (plural), occurs four times in the book (Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 5:7; Proverbs 7:24; Proverbs 8:32), in which we have Solomon's teaching to all of his sons. Solomon employed my son in two noticeable ways: to begin with a section to make the teaching more personal to the son (as in Proverbs 1:15; Proverbs 6:3; and others. When he uses the expression to begin a section of material, he usually tells what listening to his instruction will mean to his life (see Proverbs 1:8-9; Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs 4:10; and others) before actually proceeding to present the section of material. One final thought on our verse: Both parents have important parts in a child's rearingthe instruction of thy father, the law of thy mother. In far too many homes the instruction and rearing of the children becomes the responsibility of but one instead of both, or the mother does the instructing, but the father is the disciplinarian who lays down the law.

Proverbs 1:9. A chaplet is a wreath or garland that the victor wore on his head. When Joseph was promoted to a ruler in Egypt, they put a gold chain about his neck, he rode in Egypt's second chariot, and they cried before him, Bow the knee (Genesis 41:43). Following the sound teachings of the father would bring the son to great dignity as well as give a beauty to his life. The elements of good character are likened to spiritual ornaments. Women particularly are warned in physical charm: Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing of jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (1 Peter 3:3-4). See 1 Timothy 2:9-10 and Proverbs 3:22.

TEST QUESTIONS OVER 1:1-9

1.

What is a proverb (Proverbs 1:1)?

2.

How many proverbs did Solomon speak (Proverbs 1:1)?

3.

What is the relation between wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:2)?

4.

What might be said of the character of the wisdom that Solomon was teaching to his son (Proverbs 1:3)?

5.

What can wise sayings do for a young man (Proverbs 1:4)?

6.

Who besides young men can also profit by wise sayings (Proverbs 1:5)?

7.

What are some Bible examples of dark sayings (Proverbs 1:6)?

8.

Comment on fools despising wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).

9.

Discuss my son as included in Proverbs 1:8.

10.

What does Proverbs 1:9 say that following a father's instruction will bring?