CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

PROVERBS

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

• Name the author of the book of Proverbs.
• Identify to whom the book of Proverbs was written.
• State the purpose for the book of Proverbs.
• Write the Key Verse of the book of Proverbs from memory.
• State the Life and Ministry Principle for the book of Proverbs.

INTRODUCTION

'''AUTHOR:""" Solomon, the son of King David, wrote most of the Proverbs. It is recorded in I Kings 4:32 that Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs under the inspiration of God. Some of these are preserved for us by the Holy Spirit in the book of Proverbs. Two chapters in Proverbs are written by authors with another name: Agur wrote chapter 30 and Lemuel wrote chapter 31. Some of the Proverbs Solomon set in order himself. This means he not only wrote them but also arranged them in the order in which they are presented in the Bible. Other Proverbs of Solomon were put in their order by King Hezekiah’s men

TO WHOM: Israel, but the truths for practical living are applicable to all believers.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this book are given in Proverbs 1:1-6. Read them in your Bible. An introduction to Proverbs is given in Ecclesiastes 12:8-14. Read this passage in your Bible.

KEY VERSE: Proverbs 3:13

LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Vertical wisdom is necessary for horizontal living. Proverbs is a collection of wise principles given by God to man (vertical) to govern living with others (horizontal).

MAIN CHARACTERS: The authors, Solomon, King Lemuel, and Agur. The woman apart from God is called the "strange woman.” The final chapter of Proverbs presents a contrast to her by describing the "virtuous woman" who knows God.