Wisdom: Introduction to Proverbs

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings. Several authors contributed to the proverbs, but King Solomon, son of King David, wrote most of them. Solomon was known for his wisdom, and 1 Kings 4:32 says that he wrote 3,000 proverbs. Therefore, most of Proverbs was written during Solomon’s lifetime in the tenth century BC. The rest of the book may have been written and compiled by the time Hezekiah ruled Judah from 715 to 686 BC (Proverbs 25:1).

Proverbs are wise sayings that are generally true, but they are different from promises or prophecies. For example, Proverbs 22:6 says that children raised in the right way will continue in that way when they are older. However, this proverb is not a guarantee that nothing difficult will happen in the life of a child raised well. Rather, it is wise instruction based on what is generally true. Proverbs itself explains the purpose of these sayings in Proverbs 1:2–6. Their purpose is to help simple and young people gain wisdom and understanding, while also helping wise people grow wiser.

Proverbs Outline:

Chapters 1 through 22:16 contain Solomon’s proverbs.

Chapters 22:17 through 24 contain collections of the sayings of the wise.

Chapters 25 through 29 contain another collection of Solomon’s proverbs gathered by Hezekiah’s officials.

Chapter 30 contains the sayings of Agur.

Chapter 31:1–9 contains the sayings of Lemuel.

Chapter 31:10–31 describes a wife of noble character.

Day 1 – The Beginning of Wisdom

Today’s reading introduces wisdom and teaches the importance of fearing the Lord.