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“for attaining  wisdom  and discipline for understanding words of insight;” Welcome to God’s classroom.  The syllabus for this course is outlined in verses 2-6.  Vs. 2 for attaining wisdom and discipline Vs. 2 for understanding words of insight Vs. 3 for acquiring a discipling and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair Vs. 4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young Vs. 5 to add to the learning of the wise Vs. 5 to give guidance to the discerning Vs. 6 to help you understand the proverbs, parables, sayings and riddles of the wise Its objectives are ambitious.  Who can even enter this classroom?  Verse 7 answers.  Those who fear (hold in awe, worship) the Lord and with humility have yielded their will to His.  Big heads and foolish minds need not apply. For those who sign up, this is not going to be a cake walk, but a diamond dig.  What do we find in the bookend verses of 2 and 7? … wisdom and discipline.  Wisdom and discipline will work together throughout this book to enable us to understand words of insight and live them out. In direct proportion to the depths you dig and apply, you will learn and live.

Proverbs is full of much advice on how to grow up, actually, just like Jesus…in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52 NIV)

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1:1 The proverbs¹of Solomon² son of David, king of Israel³. 

Solomon was given a gift – wisdom.  He used it to rule wisely and amass great wealth.  Demonstrative of his humility, he also took the time to write down for others what God had taught him.  As you read on, do so in awe.  God/Solomon have much to offer.

 ¹  The proverbs: a practical comprehensive manual on how to live.  The wisdom of Proverbs serves as a compass for the soul to know right from wrong and a light for the mind to discern truth from falsehood.

²  Solomon: 3rd king of Israel. Son of David and Bathsheba (II Sam. 12:24).  Despite the attempt of his older brother Absalom to steal the throne, David pronounced him as the successor king (I King 1:28) which he ruled as for 40 years, peacefully.  Offered by God his choice of gifts.  He chose “an understanding heart” to serve his people.  Because of his humility, God gave him both riches and wisdom.  (I King 3:5-15, 4:29-31).  He spoke 3,000 proverbs.  About 500 are recorded in Proverbs for us. (I Kings 4:32) He also wrote Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.

³ Israel split after Solomon into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.

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Great leaders equip others to surpass them.

Desiring for my two sons Brad and Doug to surpass me in wisdom too, when they were 19 and 16 I started writing down what God had put on my heart and emailing them these daily meditations.  I cherry picked the verses at first – ones I thought were applicable to issues they were experiencing.  After a while, I ran out of cherries and decided to see how long they would hang in there with me if I started at the beginning and went verse by verse.  Brad lasted less than a year, making an early entrance to heaven.  More on that story later.  Doug lasted a little longer.  More stories of him will follow too.  I continued, enjoying what God was showing me way too much to stop.  I’m on my third time through the book now.  Many have shared stories of blessing.  I hope you will too.