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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The Title and the Introduction
v. 1. The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, 1Ki_1:39; 1Ki_2:12, a proverb, in this connection, designating a maxim or aphorism rather than a popular proverbial saying;
v. 2. to know, to become most intimately acquainted with, wisdom and instruction, the latter word referring to education, moral training, the practical Bide of wisdom, by which it finds its application in everyday life; to perceive the words of understanding, enabling one to discern between good and evil;
v. 3. to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity, a training to a reasonable, intelligent condition, to understand what is in agreement with duty and right and uprightness in one s entire behavior;
v. 4. to give subtilty, cleverness, prudence, discernment, to the simple, to all who are too easily inclined to yield to the allurements of sin, to the young man, who is still inexperienced, knowledge and discretion, the thoughtfulness, circumspection, and caution which weighs every matter carefully and never plunges headlong into danger. The author now shows that writings of this nature will be appreciated by such as are trying to shape their conduct in life in accordance with the will of God.
v. 5. A wise man will hear, realizing the value of such instruction and therefore yielding a willing ear, and will increase learning, adding to the stock already at his disposal, not haughtily insisting that he knows it all; and a man of understanding, one who has some insight into the demands of the proper Christian conduct, shall attain unto wise counsels, gladly accepting and adopting all the measures which prudent knowledge suggests;
v. 6. to understand a proverb and the interpretation, that is, enigma, figurative speech, readily to see and apply the lessons contained in the maxims of this book; the words of the wise and their dark sayings, the lessons which they clothe in such figures and parabolic utterances that they require careful study. No true wisdom is easily acquired, least of all that pertaining to a God-fearing conduct in life.