Background
1 Kings 4:32 Solomon wrote over 3000 proverbs and about 1000 are in this book. This is King Solomon's direction to his son, and goes sequentially through his life.
“A proverb is a saying that conveys a specific truth in a pointed, pithy way.” “Proverbs are short sentences, drawn from long experience.” A truth couched in a form that is easy to remember, a philosophy based on experience, and a rule for conduct. - J Vernon McGee
Son will be drawn to one of two schools for life.
STRUCTURE OF PROVERBS, by A. C. Gaebelein:
The literary form of these proverbs is mostly in the form of couplets.
The two clauses of the couplet are generally related to each other by what has been termed parallelism, according to Hebrew poetry. Three kinds of parallelism have been pointed out:
1. Synonymous Parallelism. Here the second clause restates what is given in the first clause.
Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and stripes for theback of fools. (Proverbs 19:29)
2. Antithetic (Contrast) Parallelism. Here a truth is stated in the first clause and made stronger in the second clause by contrast with an opposite truth.
The light of the righteous rejoiceth, but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. (Proverbs 13:9)
3. Synthetic Parallelism. The second clause develops the thought of the first.
The fear of a king is like the roaring of a lion; whoso pro-voketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
(Proverbs 20:2)
Outline
Wisdom and folly contrasted, Chapters 1 — 9
II. Proverbs of Solomon, written and set in order by himself,
Chapters 10 — 24
III. Proverbs of Solomon, set in order by men of Hezekiah,
Chapters 25 — 29
IV. Oracle of Agur, unknown sage, Chapter 30
V. Proverbs of a mother to Lemuel, Chapter 31
1
7 Fear of God is the beginning of knowledge.
8
Garland - crown of sports victory.
Chain to adorn neck - sign of accomplishment, significance and honor.
22 - scorn - don't join in on judging others