Discourse 10. Solomon Here Deals With The Question Of The Naive, The Scorners And The Foolish (Pro 1:22). The Appeal Of Woman Wisdom Is Contrasted With The Allure Of Woman Folly, And In Between These Appeals Is A Warning Against Scorners (Pro 9:1-18).
In the opening reference to Woman Wisdom (Pro 1:18-33) in the Prologue the question was asked as to how long the naive would be naive, how long scorners would delight in scorning, and how long fools would hate knowledge. Now in this last chapter of the Prologue a final view is taken of the naive (Pro 9:4-6), scorners (Pro 9:7-8; Pro 9:12 b) and the foolish as represented by Woman Folly (Pro 9:13-18). Chapter 9 thus caps off the Prologue.
In this final discourse in the Prologue the deliberate contrast between Woman Wisdom and the ‘strange woman', now named Woman Folly, is clearly brought out. In Pro 9:3 b Woman Wisdom ‘calls out from the highest places of the city'. In Pro 9:14 d, 15a, Woman Folly does the same, although obviously their appeal is different. Both cry out, ‘whoever is naive let him turn in here' (Pro 9:3 c, 16 a). Both speak to ‘him who is void of understanding' (Pro 9:4 a, 16 b), challenging for his response. Both offer ‘food' (Pro 9:5 a, Pro 9:17 b), although whilst Woman Wisdom's food is eaten publicly, on a large table open to all, Woman Folly's is eaten in secret, no doubt on a table made for two. Whilst, however, Woman Wisdom calls on them to ‘live' (Pro 9:6 a), Woman Wisdom is calling them to death and the grave world (Pro 9:18). And whilst Woman Wisdom has gone to great trouble to build a large house which is well provisioned for all (Pro 9:1-3 a) so that all can eat and celebrate together, Woman Folly simply sits at the door of ‘her house' and makes her appeal to the individual. She offers ‘stolen waters' (Pro 9:17) rather than ‘mingled (specially prepared) wine' (Pro 9:2). Woman Wisdom is open and honest. Woman Folly is furtive and secretive.
The passage divides up into three subsections:
A The appeal of Woman Wisdom to the naive (Pro 9:1-6).
B The contrast between the scoffer, who does not like reproof, and the wise who heeds it, (a warning to the naive), centred round the fear of YHWH (Pro 9:7-12).
A The appeal of Woman Folly to the naive (Pro 9:13-18).