The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
Proverbs 1:1-3.-The Inscription; and the Preface, stating the design of the book-to give instruction in wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-6). Key-note of the whole: the fear of the Lord is the first step (Proverbs 1:7). Fatherly exhortation to the young to hear the instruction of godly parents, elders, and pastors (Proverbs 1:8-9). Not to be enticed by sinners, whose ways in pursuit of gain are deadly (Proverbs 1:10-19). Wisdom's appeal (Proverbs 1:20-23). Fatal result of rejecting it, and blessedness of those who hearken to it (Proverbs 1:24-33).
The Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel. A similar heading appears at the beginning of the three divisions of the book: here, Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 25:1. He spake 3,000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32); and subsequently "set in order" the present selection (Proverbs 1:1-33; Proverbs 2:1-22; Proverbs 3:1-35; Proverbs 4:1-27; Proverbs 5:1-23; Proverbs 6:1-35; Proverbs 7:1-27; Proverbs 8:1-36; Proverbs 9:1-18; Proverbs 10:1-32; Proverbs 11:1-31; Proverbs 12:1-28; Proverbs 13:1-25; Proverbs 14:1-35; Proverbs 15:1-33; Proverbs 16:1-33; Proverbs 17:1-28; Proverbs 18:1-24; Proverbs 19:1-29; Proverbs 20:1-30; Proverbs 21:1-31; Proverbs 22:1-29; Proverbs 23:1-35; Proverbs 24:1-34; Ecclesiastes 12:9). Hezekiah directed his pious "men" to supplement the collection with an arranged series of proverbs of Solomon not included in the collection made by the royal author himself (Proverbs 25:1; cf. Sir 47:14 ; Sir 47:17 , concerning Solomon, "How wise wast thou in thy youth, and as a flood filled with understanding. The countries marveled at thee for thy songs, and proverbs, and parables, and interpretations"). On the Hebrew for "proverbs," mishlee-literally, similitudes, figurative and sententious writings-cf. Introduction. The words "Solomon the son of David, king of Israel," are so many arguments why all should attend to what follows. Kings' commonplace words are eagerly caught at; how much more ought all give heed to the words of the wisest of men (1 Kings 4:29-34) - a king, the son of a king; not only so, but also an inspired prophet, and the son of a prophet-one whose wisdom the queen from distant Sheba came to hear (1 Kings 10:1-29), and reigning over the elect nation of God!