Proverbs Overview ~

     Proverbs is the third book in the poetical and wisdom section of the Bible. Solomon, the primary author, also wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. Proverbs is a book about wisdom and the application of wisdom. The book covers the topics of speech, gossip, deception, adultery, lust, foolishness, greed, hatred, gluttony, laziness, and much more; issues that were not only relevant then but are relevant now. One interesting fact is that Kings David and Solomon are the only father and son pair that authored at least one book of the Bible.

Authors of the book: Solomon, Agur, and King Lemuel (some believe this to be a pseudonym of King Solomon)

Written: Not exactly sure, assumed to have been written between 700-400 B.C.

Key people: The Righteous, The Wicked, The Lazy, The Wise, The Foolish, The Immoral Woman, The Contentious Woman, The Lord, A Son, A Father, A Mother, A Seductress, etc.

Outline of Proverbs:

Chapter 1

A. v. 1-6 The Wise Man

B.  v. 7-19 Attaining Wisdom

C.  v. 20-33 Wisdom Takes Action

Chapter 2

A. v. 1-4 The Search

B. v. 5-11 The Preservation

C.  v. 12-22 The Contrast

Chapter 3

A. v. 1-10 Choosing to Keep God’s Wisdom

B.   v. 11-18 The Value of Wisdom’s Correction

C.  v. 19-35 God’s Practical Wisdom

Chapter 4

A. v. 1-5 A Father’s Wise Counsel

B.  v. 6-13 A Wise Comparison

C.  v. 14-27 A Wise Contrast

Chapter 5

A. v. 1-3 The Allure of Immorality

B.  v. 4-14 The Consequence of Immorality

C.  v. 15-23 The Opposite of Immorality

Chapter 6

A. v. 1-5, 16-23 The Value of Advice

B.  v. 6-15, 30-31 The Folly of Fools

C.  v. 24-29, 32-35 The Cost of Adultery

Chapter 7

A. v. 1-5 Encouragement

B.  v. 6-23 Enticement

C.   v. 24-27 Exhortation

Chapter 8

A. v. 1-21, 32-36 Wisdom Speaks

B.  v. 22-31 Wisdom’s Origin

Chapter 9

A. v. 1-12 Wisdom’s Home

B. v. 13-18 Folly’s Home

Chapter 10

A. v. 1-32 Solomon Gives a Contrast

Chapter 11

A.    v. 1-31 The Insecurity of the Wicked & The Security of the Righteous

Chapter 12

A. v. 1-5, 7-12, 20-21, 23-28 Actions

B.  v. 6, 13-19, 22 Words

Chapter 13

A.  v. 1-25 The Truly Rich & The Truly Poor

Chapter 14

A.    v. 1-35 The Favored & The Unfavored

Chapter 15

A.  v. 1-4, 7, 13-14, 23, 28, 30-31 My Words  

B.  v. 5-6, 8-12, 15-22, 24-27, 29, 32-33 The Home Life  

Chapter 16

A.  v. 1-3, 7, 9, 25, 33 Preparations

B.  v. 4-6, 8, 10-24, 26-32 Righteous Action

Chapter 17

A.  v. 1, 4, 11, 13-15, 19-20, 23, 27 The Contentious Man  

B.  v. 2-3, 6, 8, 21, 25-26 The Son

C.  v. 5, 7, 10, 12, 16, 24, 28 The Fool

D.  v. 9, 17-18, 22 The Friend

Chapter 18

A.  v. 1-24 The Deception of Sin

Chapter 19

A.  v. 1, 4, 6-7, 10, 17, 22 True Wealth

B.  v. 2-3, 5, 8-9, 11-16, 18-21, 23-29 A Father’s Warning

Chapter 20

     A.  v. 1, 3-4, 6-7, 9-17, 19-25, 27, 29-30 A Life of Integrity

     B.  v. 2, 5, 8, 18, 26, 28 A King and His Counsel

Chapter 21

A.  v. 1-3, 5, 15, 20-23, 30-31 The Life of the Righteous

B.  v. 4, 6-14, 16-19, 24-29 The Life of the Wicked

Chapter 22

A.   v. 1, 3-4, 6, 9, 11-12, 17-21, 29 A Good Name

B.  v. 2, 5, 7-8, 10, 13-16, 22-28 A Bad Name

Chapter 23

A.  v. 1, 4-5, 7, 9-19, 22-28 Instruction

     B.  v. 2-3, 6, 8, 20-21, 29-35 Self-Control

Chapter 24

A.  v. 1-2, 8-9, 15, 19-20, 28-29 The Schemer’s Downfall

B.   v. 3-7, 10-14, 16-18, 21-27 The Wise Man’s Favor

C.   v. 30-34 The Lazy Man’s Calamity

Chapter 25

A.  v. 1-7 The Heart of a King

B.   v. 8-10, 17-18, 21-22 The Heart of a Neighbor

C.  v. 11-16, 19-20, 23-28 The Heart of The Wise

Chapter 26

A.  v. 1, 3-12, 17, 27 How to Treat a Fool

B.  v. 2, 18-26, 28 Impactful Words

C.  v. 13-16 The Lazy Man’s Inaction

Chapter 27

A.  v. 1, 3-4, 7-8, 15-16, 18-20, 22, 24-27 A Heart Condition

B.  v. 2, 5-6, 9-14, 17, 21, 23 Good & Bad Counsel

Chapter 28

A.  v. 1-2, 5, 10, 13-14, 17-18, 21, 24 True Justice

B.  v. 3, 6, 8, 11, 19-20, 22-23, 27 True Riches

C.  v. 4, 7, 9, 12, 15-16, 25-26, 28 True Authority/Law

Chapter 29

A.  v. 1, 5, 8, 11, 15, 17, 19-20, 22, 24 The Power of Words

B.  v. 2-4, 6-7, 9-10, 12-14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25-27 The Righteous and Wicked in Power

Chapter 30

A.  v. 1-4 Knowing God

B.   v. 5-10, 32-33 Honoring God

C.  v. 11-14 Dishonoring God

D.  v. 15-31 Acknowledging God

Chapter 31

A.  v. 1-9 A Mother’s Advice

B.  v. 10-24 A Virtuous Woman’s Deeds

C.  v. 25-31 A Virtuous Woman’s Character