1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Comment: Solomon was the second king in the Davidic dynasty, and the last to rule over the twelve tribes of Israel. That is, until the Messiah came along. How many of the proverbs are initially his and how many he collected from wise friends or from other nations we do not know. This we do know that they have the stamp of God’s approval as they are in His Library of books, called the Bible, These seven verses are centred on ‘wisdom’ and gaining it. It is so clear that I don’t have to explain it. The problem is not understanding the meaning but putting it into practice! Solomon the reported author or collector of most of these proverbs made a ‘hell of a mess’ of his own life at the end by not practicing what he taught! I have heard of fathers who said to their children ‘Don’t copy me but just do what I tell you!’. I fear that people learn more through their eyes than through their ears. It is important what we say but so extraordinarily important what we live!
Prayer: Help me to avoid hypocrisy like I would the strongest poison, my Father God.
As I read it! 