Proverbs 1:1-9

Verse 1-9 are what Solomon learned from his father

Verse 1, The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

I. Solomon is once again giving children an admonition to listen to the instruction of their elders.

A. This is very much needed, not only in that day, but also in this day.

B. Children are always the same and tend to forsake the advice of their elders, accepting only the advice of their peers.

Verse 2, To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

I. The reason children are supposed to listen.

A. They are getting good advice, good doctrine.

1. It is a wonderful thing when adults care enough to sit down and actually explain to their children why they think the way they do, and don't expect the children to blindly follow them.

2. It is also wonderful when children care enough about their parents to know they are trying to lead them in the right path.

3. Children need to understand that their parents have been down the road they're walking on and listen to the voice of experience.

Verse 3, For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

I. The reason Solomon said he was able to give instruction.

A. He had been a child at one time.

1. It's good for children to realize that their parents were once children like they are now.

B. It was good for Solomon as a child to be glad and amazed because he was his father's son.

1. Look at the love shown between Solomon and his dad.

2. Note the way that Solomon looked up to David for instruction and love, (the way a child does his dad).

II. If dads would realize that their children look up to them for instruction in how they ought to live their lives, it would probably make dads live different.

A. If we don't teach our children verbally, then they will look at our lives and take the silence to mean that they shouldn't teach their children verbally.

B. They will begin to do the things in their lives that we do in ours.

III. Note the fact that David taught his son.

A. Here and in verse 1 (Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father), and verse 4 (He taught me also).

B. This teaches us that it is the fathers responsibility to teach the children.

C. 2 Tim. 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

1. This verse has been used to try to teach that it is the mothers responsibility to teach the children, and the dads responsibility to make the living.

2. This is error.

D. Acts 16:1-3 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: {2} Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. {3} Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

1. Timothy's dad was a Greek.

2. Timothy's dad was probably lost, therefore couldn't and wouldn't teach Timothy about Christ.

3. The responsibility therefore fell to Timothy's mother, the grandmother going the extra mile to teach her grandson about Christ.

4. Eph. 6:1-4, states the responsibility is not placed solely upon the mother, or solely upon the father, children are to obey both of their parents in the Lord.

5. The mother (as related in Gen. 1) is to be a help meet for the man, aiding the dad in raising the children, not do it all by herself.

E. I believe much of the trouble in homes today is because husbands will not take the proper place in the raising of children.

1. They expect their wives to work outside of the home, then come home and feed them and the children, wash their dirty clothes and clean their dirty house, help the kids with the homework, work in the garden, putting up all the vegetables, while, of course, the husband watches the latest ball game on T. V.).

2. Then they expect this same woman to come to bed anxious to make love.

3. Then do the same thing all over again the next day.

F. This may be part of the reason for the "women's uprising" through the Equal Rights Movement.

1. Men today need to take their responsibility in the home more seriously.

2. I'm not in favor of the E. R. A., or many of the things that devil sent program represents, but I'm in favor of men taking their responsibility in the home, especially in the teaching of children.

IV. Note: Solomon, as a child, was only beloved in the sight of his mother.

A. But, according to I Chron. 29:1, when Solomon was about 18-20 years old, his father, David, said that Solomon was tender and beloved.

1. This shows us that no matter how old we get, or how much we as children can do, our parents still are concerned about us and love us and consider us "young and tender".

2. I believe this is as it should be.

3. As children, we ought always to remember the tender love parents have for us and hold that love in the greatest respect.

4. Even after children have children of their own, they ought to still include their parents in their lives, not leaving them out except when it is absolutely necessary.

V. Note: David was about 50-51 years old when Solomon was born.

A. Bathsheba was probably no older than 35, and probably younger.

B. Solomon was probably her first living son. (Her first son {conceived in adultery} was dead.)

1. It took David all those years to learn how to raise children.

2. Now David takes the time (and he's the king of Israel) to teach his children.

3. Not matter how busy we are, we should never be too busy to take care of our families.

Verse 4, He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

I. Solomon's attitude.

A. When Solomon grew up, he took pleasure in his dads instructions.

B. Solomon had divinely inspired wisdom, yet didn't think it was wrong to quote his dads spiritual wisdom.

C. Solomon taking his fathers example, taught his children (at least Solomon) like his dad taught him.

D. Wise men are those that teach children, for they are tomorrow's church!

II. Solomon recommends the Word of God.

A. Let thine heart retain my words - He must hear and retain them.

B. Keep my commandments and live.

1. Must be in the heart to be kept.

2. Commandments you can't live and die by are worthless.

3. Keeping the promises of God gives us long life.

C. Must base our actions on the Word of God.

Verse 5, Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

I. Note the battle to destroy thinking about God's Word.

II. After the word is kept in the mind, put it into action in the life.

III. Solomon recommends wisdom (from the Word of God, of course.

A. Prov. 1:7 - The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Verse 6, Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

I. Forsake her not.

A. The word "forsake" means "do not turn away from", "do not turn you back on".

B. It must be understood that wisdom will preserve the one who trust in her.

1. All the other things we trust in will let us down.

2. Money, prestige, fame, etc., will all turn sour.

II. Love her.

A. Young men and women are instructed to love wisdom, not other young men and women.

1. If young people would love wisdom, God would send them the proper mate for their lives, and give them all the desire of their hearts.

2. They would be much happier throughout all their lives with the peaceableness God gives them through a happy marriage and contentment with all other areas of their life.

B. The fleshly desires of most young people will lead them into lifelong troubles.

1. Unwanted pregnancies, venereal disease, heartache from adulterous affairs, divorce, and living alone are only some of the troubles people face who forget wisdom.

2. It is very strange, but most young people believe bad things won't happen to them, but to somebody else.

C. Keep thee.

1. It may seem ridiculous that wisdom would keep you, but it is true.

2. Wisdom will let the young person see the real truth behind a matter, not just the matter alone.

Verse 7, Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

I. The principal thing.

A. Definitions.

1. Principal means "the chief, the highest in rank, character, or respectability".

2. Principle means "the ultimate source, origin, or cause of something".

B. This passage is not speaking about doing something, but obtaining someone!

1. The word "principal" refers to a person, not to an act.

2. The highest person is Jesus Christ, the son of the living God.

3. To accept God into our lives, is to accept God's thoughts, ways, and mannerisms into our lives.

II. Get wisdom.

A. If we understand that wisdom is the principal thing, we will endeavor to get wisdom.

B. If we don't understand that wisdom is the principal thing, we won't try to get wisdom.

III. Get Understanding.

A. Is wisdom on our "want to get" list?

1. We usually work toward getting the things we want.

2. Do we work toward getting wisdom?

B. Understanding is the result of wisdom.

1. Understanding is not the result of education, or going to school.

2. Sometimes, people are educated past their intelligence.

3. We can increase our intelligence if we will read the Bible to find out how His world works.

Verse 8, Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

I. Sometimes we think we will get honor quicker by working directly to obtain it.

A. Riches will come naturally to the person who has wisdom.

1. There are people who desire fast wealth, and get it by selling illegal drugs, or some other illegal act.

2. The end result of their unlawful deed is a loss of wealth and honor; very possibly a prison sentence.

B. His wisdom will give him the proper understanding of various things.

1. People will see the understanding and will gladly pay for the information he possesses.

2. Lost and saved people alike will see understanding and migrate toward it.

C. This is why there is such a big push today for more and better education.

1. There is nothing wrong with more and better education, but the wrong kind of education will not produce honor.

2. There are many college graduates looking for work, even taking lesser jobs than they are qualified for.

3. A college education doesn't mean that a person has enabled himself for work or honor.

a. A person with an engineers degree may not be qualified for work if they don't understand the long term affects of the process they are working with.

b. A teaching certificate does not mean that a person is able to get points across to students.

c. A degree from a "preachers college" doesn't mean that God has enabled a man to preach.

4. Wisdom is what enables a person for work and honor.

II. The best way to achieve honor and riches is to get Godly wisdom.

A. Some believe this won't work in the everyday business world.

1. It will work.

2. Employers are very happy to hire honest, hard working people.

B. Wisdom must be embraced.

1. The word "embraced" means to hold tightly, like a hug.

2. It is impossible to embrace Godly wisdom and worldly wisdom at the same time.

3. Wisdom will not give us honor if we hold lightly to her, or if we "hold her hand" instead of "hugging her".

Verse 9, She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

I. An ornament of grace is the crown of glory.

A. The crown of glory is called an ornament of grace because it is something we don't deserve.

1. We receive wisdom as a gift of grace, not of works.

2. I Kings 3:5-9 - Solomon asked wisdom from God, not because he deserved it, but because he must have it in order to lead Israel properly.

B. The ornament of grace and crown of glory shall be worn for all to see.

1. Not like the Pharisees who dressed themselves for all to see.

2. Wisdom will put the ornament of grace on our heads, we won't put it there ourselves.

3. To get Godly wisdom.

C. Some believe this won't work in the everyday business world.