Proverbs 1

Purposes and themes

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

1:1 Altogether Solomon spoke 3000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32). There are less than 1000 proverbs in this book and not all of them were written by Solomon (Prov 30:1; 31:1), so many of his proverbs are lost. Only those God wanted to remain have remained. Solomon had more practical wisdom and discernment than any man whoever lived (except for the Lord Jesus), because they were a special gift from God (1 Kings 3:10-12). The proverbs recorded in this book were chosen from Solomon’s proverbs by God’s Spirit for our instruction.⚜

2 To know wisdom and instruction;

to discern words of understanding;

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice,

and judgment, and fairness;

4 To give shrewdness to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young

5 (A wise person will hear

and increase learning,

and a man of understanding will attain

to wise counsels);

6 To understand a proverb,

and the interpretation,

the words of the wise, and their riddles.

1:2-6 Here are the several reasons why Solomon wrote his proverbs and why the Holy Spirit has included them in the Bible. The principal reason is that we might gain practical wisdom and know how to conduct ourselves in the various affairs of life. But knowledge alone is not enough – it must be put into practice. Unfortunately Solomon himself did not always do so (1 Kings 11:1-6).⚜

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning

of knowledge, but fools

despise wisdom and instruction.

Exhortations to avoid evil men

8 My son, hear the instruction

of your father,

and do not forsake the law

of your mother;

1:8 It is the duty of parents to properly teach their children how to live in this world (Gen 18:19; Deut 6:7; Prov 13:24; 22:6; Eph 6:4). If they do not, they should not be surprised if their children turn out badly.⚜

9 For they will be an ornament

of grace to your head,

and necklaces around your neck.

10  My son, if sinners entice you,

do not consent.

11 If they say, “Come with us.

Let us lie in wait for blood.

Let us lurk secretly for the innocent

without cause.

12 Let us swallow them up alive

like the grave, and whole,

like those who go down into the pit.

13 We will get all kinds of valuable stuff.

We will fill our houses with plunder.

14 Throw in your lot among us.

Let us all have one purse”.

15 My son, do not walk in the way with them.

Keep your foot from their path.

16 For their feet run to evil,

and hurry to shed blood.

1:10-16 It is possible for the children of even good parents to fall into the companionship of evil men. When this happens they are on the slippery path that may lead to violence, robbery, and crime (compare Prov 22:24-25; 1 Cor 15:33). Everyone, and especially the young, must be very careful about making friends, for friendships have a powerful effect on our behavior, and can lead either to great good or to much evil.⚜

17 Surely in vain the net is spread

in the sight of any bird.

1:17 A hunter used nets to catch birds, but if the birds were watching him start to work they would fly away (Prov 6:5; 7:23; Ps 91:3). If we are alert to the plans and tricks of evil men we can escape.⚜

18 And they lie in wait for their own blood!

They lurk secretly for their own lives!

1:18 An evil man will be caught in his own schemes to catch others (Prov 26:27; Ps 7:15; 35:7-8; 40:2; 94:13). By becoming ensnared in his own net he shows he has not as much sense as birds.⚜

19 Such are the ways of everyone

who is greedy for gain.

Wisdom calls and warns of disaster

It takes away the life of its owners.

20 Wisdom cries out in the public square;

she utters her voice in the streets;

21 She cries out in the principal thoroughfares,

at the entrance of the gates

of the city she utters her words, saying,

1:20-21 There are two principal voices calling to men – the voice of wisdom which is the Word of God (Prov 8:12, 22-31), and the voice of folly which is the counsel of the wicked (Prov 9:13; Ps 1:1). The one we obey will determine the nature of our life on earth and our eternal state.⚜

22 “How long, you simple ones,

will you love simple ways?

And the scorners delight in their scorning,

and fools hate knowledge?

1:22 The voice of wisdom is heard until the end of this chapter. Indeed, the voice of wisdom is heard all through the Bible and wherever the Bible has gone and wherever God speaks to men. Most are unwilling to listen to the voice of wisdom, and so show themselves to be foolish. It is a strange but true thing that foolish people love their foolish ways and delight to mock at wisdom and hate knowledge (Ps 50:17). Hence the terrible warning which follows.⚜

23 Turn at my rebuke. See,

I will pour out my spirit to you,

I will make my words known to you.

1:23 This is what God longs to do for people if only they will respond to Him. For this reason He gave the Bible to mankind. Our whole lifetime should be spent in learning more and more of God’s heart and God’s thoughts.⚜

24 “But since I have called, and you refused;

I have stretched out my hand,

and no one paid attention,

25 But you have ignored all my counsel,

and were not willing for any of my rebuke,

1:24-25 Isa 65:12; 66:4; Jer 7:13; 26:5; 35:17; 36:31; Heb 12:25. The most foolish, arrogant, and dangerous thing any human being can do is to refuse to listen to the voice of wisdom, the voice of God. Compare 2 Thess 2:10-11.⚜

26 I also will laugh at your calamity.

I will mock when your fear comes.

27 When your fear comes like desolation,

and your destruction comes like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come on you.

28 Then they will call on me,

but I will not answer.

They will seek me early, but they will not find me,

1:28 There is such a thing as calling too late for help. When justice demands punishment and is already in the process of executing it, men may call in vain (Deut 1:45; 1 Sam 8:18; Isa 1:15; Jer 11:11; Hos 5:6). For example, once Noah and his family were in the ark and the judgment of the flood had begun it was too late to call for mercy.⚜

29 For they hated knowledge,

and did not choose the fear of the LORD.

1:29 Verse 7. The fear of the Lord is something which must be chosen by men. It must also be cultivated and practiced.⚜

30 They would have none of my counsel.

They despised all my rebuke.

31 Therefore they will eat the fruit

of their own way,

and be filled with their own schemes.

32 For the turning away of the simple

will kill them,

and the prosperity of fools will destroy them.

1:26-32 Here are the sad results of refusing wisdom’s voice.⚜

1:32 Men destroy themselves by their wickedness and folly. Let them not blame God for something they do themselves.⚜

33 But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety,

and will securely rest from fear of disaster”.