Proverbs 1 (KJV) - Bible Truth Library

• Morally, Proverbs follows Ecclesiastes. Interestingly, however, Proverbs appears to have been written early in Solomon’s life, whereas Ecclesiastes is the sum of his earthly experiences. (“Proverbs” by N. Simon)

• Although Jehovah is God’s name of covenant relationship with His earthly people, we should not limit Proverbs’ lessons to Israel. It is only when we take a letter addressed to another and reinterpret it as if it were to ourselves that we run into problems. However, when we recognize to whom a letter is written, we can learn much from it without misapplying those things specific to the recipient. Remembering this will be helpful when interpreting certain proverbs. (“Proverbs” by N. Simon)

• There are five clearly marked divisions. Prov. 1-9 “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David…” Prov. 10-24 “The proverbs of Solomon…” Prov. 25-29 “These are also proverbs of Solomon…” Prov. 30 “The words of Agur the son of Jake…” Prov. 31 “The words of king Lemuel…” The divisions have their own unique character and each have further groupings within them. While much of the book does not take the form of a continuous narrative, the first 9 chapters do. (“Proverbs” by N. Simon)

• The book as a whole has six major divisions. These are marked by a divinely inspired phrase inserted into the text, separating one section from another. The divisions are: • DIVISION I—Twelve Lessons in a Household (Chapters 1-9). • DIVISION II—Solomon’s Wise Maxims (Chapters 10–22:16). • DIVISION III—The Words of the Wise (Chapters 22:17–24:34). • DIVISION IV—The Second Book of Solomon’s Wise Maxims (Chapters 25–29). • DIVISION V—The Words of Agur (Chapter 30). • DIVISION VI—The Words of King Lemuel (Chapter 31). (“An Outline of the Book of Proverbs” by B. Anstey)

• In these words {Eccl. 12:9-14} we have the divine reason for the book of Proverbs. God would save all who heed what is there recorded from the heartbreaking experiences and aimless wanderings of the man who was chosen to write them. (“Notes on the Book of Proverbs: Introduction” by H.A. Ironside)

• That He, the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, should stoop in grace to give instruction for the very details of His creatures’ lives down here, is cause for worship and admiration forever. (“Notes on the Book of Proverbs: Introduction” by H.A. Ironside)

• To turn, then, to the structure of the book: it did not attain its present fullness till the days of Hezekiah; that is, though all equally God-breathed, it did not exist in the form of one book until that date, as chapter 25:1 makes plain. (“Notes on the Book of Proverbs: Introduction” by H.A. Ironside)

• The first four verses would seem to justify the title given long since to this remarkable collection of sayings— “The Young Man’s Book.” (“Proverbs One” by H.A. Ironside)

J. N. Darby Translation

Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: