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19. Proverbs

Never get bored reading this book, again and again, and again and again [The Holy Bible – complete set of 83 books] The deeper you read into it the more meaningful and understanding you get from it. For me, the words inside The Holy Bible itself are more powerful accurate than tomorrow newspaper. When we are kids we understand as a kid but when we become a man [knowing and understand the purpose of life] we put away childish things; our perception and understanding are broader while we keep growing spiritually.
Tonight I give my short review of The book of Proverbs by King Solomon [King David son]. The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that, although they were written in ancient times, their principles are for all men in every age, and every walk of life. Wisdom is the attitude that puts God as man’s guide and master. The ultimate message in the book of Proverbs is that fearing the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. There is no greater principle that was taught by both David and Solomon than acknowledging God's presence in everything in life and taking heed to everything He says. Proverbs 1:1 indicates that the whole collection was called "the Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel." Technically a proverb is a profound maxim or epigrammatic saying that, if pondered on for a length of time there is deep meaning associated with it. Proverbs was not uncommon in the ancient world, but the concept of fearing a single God who is the only God and the giver of life was completely foreign in a world filled with polytheism. Solomon was the son of David who was chosen to build the Temple. His name comes from the Hebrew word for peace (shalom), and he is recognized in the Bible as the ultimate peacemaker King in the history of the kingdom of Israel. 

The book of Proverbs not only names Solomon as the author in the very first verse, but there are other verses that indicate that Solomon was the person responsible for the Proverbs (Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 25:1). The book of Kings indicates that Solomon was blessed with wisdom from God (1 Kings 4:29), he was a man of humility (1 Kings 3:7), and a great diplomat (1 Kings 3:16-28; 1 Kings 5:12) to such an extent that people came from all over the world to hear his wisdom (1 Kings 4:30; 1 Kings 10:1-13). The book of Kings also indicates that Solomon wrote over 3000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32), and this is many more than the book of Proverbs contains.


PROVERBS TOTAL CHAPTERS: 31
PROVERBS TOTAL VERSES: 915
DATE WRITTEN: 950 – 700 BC
AUTHOR: Solomon
PROVERBS THEME: 
The superiority of the Way of Wisdom: Wisdom From God
BOOK OF PROVERBS KEY and HIGHLIGHT VERSES:
1:5: let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.
1:7: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
4:5: Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.
8:4-36: Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”

Quick Overview of Proverbs.
 1:1-6 – – the introduction and purpose of the book
 1:7-9:18 – – wisdom and folly are examined
10:1-22:16 – – wisdom does good
22:17-24:34 – – the words of the wise
25:1-29:27 – – the Proverbs of Solomon are collected by Hezekiah's servants
30:1-33 – – the messages of Agur
31:1-31 – – the sayings of King Lemuel.

Outline (KJV/NKJV)
Proverbs 1-9, Solomon addresses the young. His words are arranged in a series of discourses in praise of wisdom. A personification of Wisdom speaks as an instructor, warning against all manner of folly. The proverbs in this section are arranged with more continuity than is seen in succeeding chapters.
Prv1: The proverbs of Solomon. To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels…The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not…walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: for their feet run to evil… Wisdom calls aloud. The complacency of fools destroys them.

Prv2: My son, apply your heart to understanding. For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. It will save you from the way of evil, and from the adulteress.

Prv3: My son, trust in the LORD with all your heart. Do not despise his discipline. Wisdom is a tree of life. Do not quarrel without cause.

Prv4: Listen, my sons: Get wisdom. The path of the righteous is like the morning sun. Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Prv5: My son, listen to my words. In the end an adulterous is bitter as wormwood. Keep away from her. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Prv6: A little slumber, and poverty will come like a bandit. A scoundrel sows discord. My son, a man who commits adultery destroys himself.

Prv7: My son, wisdom will keep you from the adulteress. I saw her seducing a young man. He followed her like an ox going to the slaughter.

Prv8: Wisdom cries aloud: "My mouth speaks truth. The LORD brought me forth at the beginning of his works. Whoever finds me finds life."

Prv9: Wisdom has built her house. She says, "Come, leave your folly." The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Folly knows nothing.

Proverbs 10-22:16 are the "proverbs of Solomon," and this section is usually thought to be the original nucleus around which the remainder of the book was constructed.
Prv10: A wise son makes a glad father. Love covers all offenses. With many words, sin is not lacking. The righteous will never be uprooted.

Prv11: The LORD hates dishonest scales. The wicked earn false wages. Whoever gives water will get water. Whoever trusts in riches will fall.

Prv12: Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge; but he that hateth reproof is brutish…No one finds security by wickedness. Those who work the land have food. Rash words pierce like a sword. Righteousness leads to life.

Prv13: The righteous hate lies. Hope deferred makes the heart sick. Whoever heeds reproof is honoured. Whoever spares the rod hates his son.

Prv14: The talk of fools is a rod for their backs. Even in laughter the heart may ache. Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker.

Prv15: A gentle answer turns away wrath. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere. Plans fail for lack of counsel. The LORD hears the righteous.

Prv16: A man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Kings detest evil. Pride goes before destruction. Wisdom is a fountain of life.
Prv17: A wise servant will rule over a shameful son. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam. Even a fool seems wise if he keeps silent.

Prv18: A fool delights in his own opinions. The name of LORD is a strong tower. A gift opens the way. The tongue can bring life or death.

Prv19: Wealth makes friends. A false witness will not go unpunished. A good wife is from the LORD. Whoever helps the poor lends to the LORD.

Prv20: Wine is a mocker, beer a brawler. Even a child is known by his deeds. The LORD hates false weights. It is a snare to make rash vows.

Prv21: To do justice is better than sacrifice. Better to live on the roof than with a quarrelsome wife. No plans can avail against the LORD.

Proverbs 22:17-24 :22 contains advice for those in responsible positions, calling it "the words of the wise."
Prv22: A good name is better than riches. Train a child and he will not go astray. Incline your ear and apply your heart to my teaching.

Prv23: Do not wear yourself out to get rich. Do not move a boundary marker. Buy the truth, and do not sell it. Do not linger long over wine.

Prv24: Do not envy the wicked. Wisdom is sweet to the soul. Fear the LORD and the king, my son. I saw thorns in the field of the sluggard.

Proverbs 24:23-29 are designated as "the proverbs of Solomon which the wise men of Hezekiah copied out." These are in the form of detached statements, although there are occasional signs of continuity. There are also sayings on related subjects such as rulers, sluggards, and fools.
Prv25: Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. To seek one's own glory is not glory.

Prv26: As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it.

Prv27: Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise thee, and not thy own mouth; a stranger, and not thy own lips…Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful… A loud blessing in the morning will be taken as a curse. A person is tested by being praised.

Prv28: Better to be poor and honest than crooked and rich. Whoever confesses sins will find mercy. Whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper.

Prv29: By justice a king builds up the land. Whether a fool rages or laughs, there is no peace. Correct your son and he will give you rest.


Prv30: Every word of God is pure. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Four things are never satisfied: Sheol, a barren womb, earth and fire.

Prv31: Speak up for the speechless. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies… She buys a field, she makes garments, she watches over her household. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praise.