V1            Solomon the writer of the proverbs. His request, “Give to your servant an understanding heart” (1 Kings 3.9), answered, “See, I have given you a wise and understanding heart” (1 Kings 3.12; see also 1 Kings 4.29-34). Jesus Christ is for us wisdom from God (1 Cor 1.30).

V2-6    The reasons for the book of Proverbs; to teach us wisdom, to help us to grow in understanding, not just as head knowledge, but in personal application in “doing what is right.”

V7       See 9.10; true wisdom is a spiritual thing, beginning with the Lord, and our love and respect for Him. This is different from human wisdom, 1 Cor 2.13; James 3.13-18.

V8-19 The writer introduces each section with “listen, my son”; we find this throughout the first 4 chapters.

Words addressed to “my son”; one can imagine Solomon teaching his children the way of wisdom. We are wise to heed parental advice, from both father and mother, respecting their experiences of life.

V8-9    Godly wisdom from godly parents; to take heed is a sure route to blessing.

V10            Beware of evil men, and be prepared to stand alone. Resist the temptation to join with sinners.

V11-14            The temptation to join with the ungodly, to find all kinds of precious possessions; sin does make itself attractive and advantageous. It is such ‘benefits’ that can make us succumb to temptation. There is the extra attraction of companionship; it is hard to be alone, to be thought of as different. The scripture, however, is clear; we are not to be as one with such people.

V15     Keep away from them, resist temptation; see 4.14-15.

V16            Recognise the truth of their schemes, and recognise what sin is.

V17-19            The punishment of the ungodly is inevitable; judgment to suit the sins. Their sins will find them out, they will reap what they sow.

V20-33            The call of wisdom, see also 8.1-9.18. Here, wisdom is presented as a real person, someone to be loved and valued.

V20-21            The widespread testimony; outside, in the street, in the public squares, at the head of the noisy streets (or on the tops of the city walls), in the gateways. Everywhere the voice of wisdom is heard.

The responsibility of the Christian, one who knows God’s wisdom, is to proclaim God’s wisdom (1 Cor 1-2).

V22-23            The call to men, sinful men who prefer their sin. The call is to repent, and the promise is blessing, entering into a relationship with the God of wisdom. There were some who had resisted God’s call, and therefore missed out on God’s blessing.

V24-25            Men rejected the call.

V26-27            The consequences of rejection; judgment falls, prayers go unanswered.

V28     A time will come when repentance is too late.

V29-30            The Lord does not act without cause; they hated knowledge, they did not fear the Lord, and as a result they suffered loss in this life.

V31     The unbeliever receives his real desire.

V32     The unbeliever rejects God’s word, and neglects spiritual truth. Ultimately he loses his life. There is no middle way here; either we accept the call of God, and enjoy inestimable blessings, of we reject, and suffer the consequences.

            The “simple” is ignorant, the “fool” is unbelieving.

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