Proverbs 1:1

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

Proverbs 1:1.-The Inscription; and the Preface, stating the design of the book-to give instruction in wisdom (Proverbs 1:1). Key-note of the whole: the fear of the Lord is the first step (). Fatherly exhortation to the young to hear the instruction of godly parents, elders, and pastors (Proverbs 1:8). Not to be enticed by sinners, whose ways in pursuit of gain are deadly (Proverbs 1:10). Wisdom's appeal (). Fatal result of rejecting it, and blessedness of those who hearken to it ().

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, ; . He spake 3,000 proverbs (); and subsequently "set in order" the present selection (Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 2:1; Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 5:1; Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 7:1; Proverbs 8:1; Proverbs 9:1; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 13:1; Proverbs 14:1; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 16:1; Proverbs 17:1; Proverbs 18:1; Proverbs 19:1; Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 21:1; Proverbs 22:1; Proverbs 23:1; Proverbs 24:1; ). 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 (; 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 () - 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), and reigning over the elect nation of God!