Only ten verses within the first chapter, Solomon addresses the issue that plagues us all…sin.
Proverbs 1:10 “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” There is no way around it…we are all sinners. Even after we are saved, we are simply sinners saved by grace. Sin is still enticing. Proverbs 1:11-14 “If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:” Solomon warns that we will be persuaded to sin. The devil has a game plan in order to catch us off guard. Proverbs 1:15 “My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:” Our Strategy Against Sin Since the enemy has a plan of attack, we must also have a strategy of how to conquer the enticing power of sin. First and foremost, we must avoid walking with those that we know are partaking in sin. We are to refrain from the same path they travel. Proverbs 1:16-19 “For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.” We will become like those we follow. Rather than consenting, we must choose to separate ourselves from the enticing of sin. Wisdom is displayed in the practice of separation. Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 7-8 | 1 Timothy 1 | Proverbs 11
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Solomon was privileged to have a godly heritage. His parents, David and Bathsheba, portray how God can change our circumstances through His grace. Their relationship began in lust, sin and even death.
James 1:15 “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” But God changed David’s heart through the godly counsel of a friend. When Nathan came and rebuked him with the Truth, David chose to repent and face the consequences of his sin. After their first child died, he comforted Bathsheba and the Lord gave them Solomon. They taught him according to God’s law. Proverbs 1:8-9 “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” We must hear the instruction found within the Word of God, and not forsake it. “…an ornament of grace unto thy head…” Through God’s grace, He gives us that which we do not deserve. We cannot earn anything from Him, yet He freely provides instruction through His Word. “…and chains about thy neck.” The Word of God, like the gold chain given to Joseph by Pharaoh, is a mark of distinction when rightly divided and applied. We must adorn our lives with the Truth as we study to show ourselves approved unto Him. Our fear of the Lord causes us to search His Word for instruction, for it is within the pages of Scripture that wisdom is found. Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 4-6 | 2 Thessalonians 3 | Proverbs 10 Proverbs 1:5-7
“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” At the root of many of the problems we face today is simply a lack of the fear of the Lord – a holy reverence, respect and awe of Him. When we truly fear the Lord we submit to His authority, deity and sovereignty. “…but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” We are warned that where there is no fear of Him, there is no wisdom or instruction. You cannot begin to understand without first starting as you were instructed. Those that despise wisdom and instruction are referred to as fools. Psalm 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” The fear of the Lord is only the beginning. When we fear Him, we begin to experience all that He is, and all that He wants us to have through Him. We must choose to fear Him so that He can begin to work in us. Proverbs 1:29 “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” Wisdom begins with a choice. Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 1-3 | 2 Thessalonians 2 | Proverbs 9 Who Was Solomon?
Proverbs 1:1 “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;” Solomon was born just after David’s repentance of his sin. His name means peaceable or quiet, which is often fruit of being wise. 2 Samuel 12:24 “And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.” As the son of David, Solomon was the product of his father’s relationship with Bathsheba. He had several brothers that were older, but the Lord chose him as David’s successor to lead His people. As the King of Israel, Solomon was given the opportunity to build the temple that his father desired. Such a task required great wisdom. The Purpose Of The Proverbs Proverbs 1:2-4 “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.” We see four purposes of the Proverbs laid out within these verses. To KNOW --- “wisdom and instruction” To PERCEIVE --- “words of understanding” To RECEIVE --- “instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity” To GIVE --- “subtilty to the simple, to young man knowledge and discretion” In order to perceive things correctly, we must know what is right. Likewise, in order for us to give, we must first receive. This tells us it is wise to know, perceive, receive and give. Throughout the rest of the Book of Proverbs, we hear of how to do just that. Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 29 | 2 Thessalonians 1 | Proverbs 8 The first mention of “wisdom and knowledge” is found in 2 Chronicles within the account of Solomon’s asking. This not only denotes the importance of the event, but we can also learn several key principles within the passage.
Before we can receive something, we must first ask. 2 Chronicles 1:10 “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?” God acknowledged his request, showing He hears us when we ask. 2 Chronicles 1:11 “…but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself…” God answers when we ask, according to His will. 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 “…that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.” These principles are repeated all throughout the Scriptures many times, showing how vital these simple steps are to our walk with the Lord. Prayer is perhaps the most under-utilized privilege that we have as God’s children. Our Creator desires to hear from us. His ears are always open to our cry; yet so often we neglect, or frankly forget, to call unto Him. So many promises and precious things are at our disposal, if we would only come before His throne with a humble and thankful heart. If He can give a young man such wisdom to judge His chosen people, what might the Lord desire to do through us if only we would ask as well? If we truly desire to walk in the wisdom, we must walk in the Word. As we walk through the Proverbs, ask the Lord to show you through His Word the wisdom and knowledge you need for His will for the life He has given you. Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 27-28 | 1 Thessalonians 5 | Proverbs 7 Two women. One child. Both ladies claimed that the living child was theirs, while pointing to the other woman as the mother of the dead child. There were no witnesses, so how could a verdict be given as to whom the living child belonged to? Enter Solomon.
1 Kings 3:24-25 “And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.” He used a sword to discern the hearts of the two women before him. When he gave the command for the living child to be divided in two, only one woman spoke up before her child was slain. The Wisdom of Solomon brought out the truth of the matter, all because he chose to use a sword. All of Israel then saw the godly wisdom that Solomon possessed, and God used that event as evidence that His hand was upon him. 1 Kings 3:28 “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.” We also have a Sword at our disposal to enable us to discern the Truth between what is good and bad. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Each day we have an opportunity to allow the Word of God to display the wisdom of God in our lives. What evidence of wisdom can be found in us? Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 25-26 | 1 Thessalonians 4 | Proverbs 6 Solomon could have asked for anything, yet he asked for wisdom. He not only received it, but through God’s grace he was also given so much more.
1 Kings 3:11 “And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;” God must hear requests for long life, riches, honour, or revenge all the time. How much must it grieve His heart for us to ask for any or all of those things rather than asking for wisdom to serve Him? 1 Kings 3:12-14 “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.” What might the Lord also give us if we will simply ask for the right thing in the first place? Because he asked for wisdom, God not only granted his request, but He also bestowed so much more in addition to his plea. What a picture of the grace of God! He always gives us so much more than we could ever deserve. If we will simply ask for wisdom, as Solomon did, we too may receive temporal blessings in addition to that which has eternal value. What have we missed because we simply asked for the wrong thing? Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 23-24 | 1 Thessalonians 3 | Proverbs 5 Solomon asking for wisdom, knowledge and understanding did not surprise the LORD God one bit. He knows what we need before we even ask.
Matthew 6:8b “…for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” Solomon’s wisdom was displayed in his asking for it in the first place. He was wise enough to ask for more wisdom! God had given him the opportunity, and Solomon had faith that God would provide his request. 1 Kings 3:12 “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” Because of Solomon’s faith, God entrusted him with a distinct ability unlike anyone had or will ever have. God has a unique plan for each of our lives. He has entrusted us with the privilege to serve Him, and He knows exactly what we need. We must have enough faith to ask Him to give us the wisdom He knows we need in order to accomplish His will in us. 1 Kings 4:29-30 “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.” God allows situations to come into our lives to allow our faith in Him to grow. The more faith we have in Him, the more He can use us in ways we never dreamed. 1 Kings 4:34 “And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.” What has God entrusted you with? Examine your faith in Him today. Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 21-22 | 1 Thessalonians 2 | Proverbs 4 Solomon chose to ask for a spiritual blessing rather than earthly goods. We will see later that God gave him much more than he asked to receive, but it is important to realize God’s reaction before He bestowed Solomon with anything.
1 Kings 3:10 “And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” The first thing Solomon received was God’s approval. Rather than asking for something for his own benefit, Solomon chose to ask for what he knew would not only benefit the people of Israel, but would also bring glory and honor to One Who had set him over His chosen nation. What would you have asked to receive? Would you ask for something for you or your family, or rather something that would give God glory? We have the opportunity each moment that we live to come before God and ask Him to give us something. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us what would happen if we ask. Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Prayer is one of our greatest privileges as God’s children. Are you asking? Is the Lord pleased with your request? Evaluate your prayer life today. Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 19-20 | 1 Thessalonians 1 | Proverbs 3 1 Kings 3:9
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” 2 Chronicles 1:10 “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?” Asking For Wisdom “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart…” “Give me now wisdom and knowledge…” Solomon could have asked for anything he wanted; yet he asked for wisdom. God, in His foreknowledge, knew what Solomon would ask for before He even gave him the opportunity. The Purposes For His Request Solomon had two specific reasons for asking for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The anointed king of Israel recognized that his young age provided little experience to perform his duties. To Fulfill God’s Plan “…that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?” Solomon realized that the task before him was too great to do on his own. He knew that if he tried to accomplish it in his own ability he would surely fail. How many times to we try to complete a task on our own only to fail miserably? If we serve by our own strength and power, little will be done for the cause of Christ. We must acknowledge our need for Him! To Discern His Problems “…that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” If he was to rule over God’s chosen people, Solomon knew he had to be able to discern between what was right and wrong. Discernment is lacking within many professing Christians today. God is willing and able to give us the ability to discern between good and bad. He only requires that we ask Him to give it to us. James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” We must ask God for wisdom in order to fulfill His plan for our lives and to have discernment while we serve Him. We will fail without wisdom! Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 17-18 | Colossians 4 | Proverbs 2 |
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