1 Kings 3:1-15, Introduction to the Proverbs (1)

Let’s move to the book of Proverbs now, giving a brief introduction.

·       Name.

The Hebrew name (mashal) has the idea of a “comparison.”  That makes sense in that many of the proverbs are just that, putting this and that together, noting likenesses or differences.  The English title (proverb) refers to a short, pithy saying or sentence.  The Greek term (parabole) means, as you can probably deduce, “parable.”  We think of “parables” in the sense of Jesus’ ministry, stories more lengthy than the typical proverb.  But in both settings the term speaks of some situation in life that relates to a deeper or spiritual truth.  This would be a good time to include this listing of the various types of proverbs:

·       Historical (a past or momentous event becomes a great idea), 1 Sam. 10:12.

·       Metaphoric (a moral truth drawn from nature or from life), 1:17; 6:6; 17:12.

·       Enigma or riddle, obscure question, Jud. 14:14; Prov. 30:4.

·       Parabolic (sets forth truth in allegorical figures), 9:1-18.

·       Didactic/instructive (precise instructions concerning morals, behavior, religion), Ch. 1-9.

·       Authors.

Three are mentioned by name in the book: Solomon (1:1; 10:1; 25:1), Agur the son of Jakeh (30:1) and King Lemuel (31:1).  As for Solomon, 1 Kings 4:32 (He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five) indicates there was a collection of Solomon’s proverbs while he lived.  On the other hand, Prov. 25:1 indicates that at the time of Hezekiah (300 years later) there had been found additional Solomonic proverbs. 

You may wonder about the last two names, since they are not known in the Bible outside Proverbs.  We will have to be satisfied to know very little.  Prov. 30:1-6 gives us the testimony of Agur, and thus seems to treat him as a real person and not just, say, a pen-name for Solomon.  Likewise, the source of Lemuel’s proverbs is said to be his mother (31:1), again indicating he is a real person.  Some have suggested Lemuel is a name used by Solomon.  The name means “for God,” a fitting name.

Solomon is compared to several men in 1 Ki. 4:31. Ethan the Ezrahite is also the author of Psalm 89, a song that might reflect the time of Absalom’s rebellion.  There was an “Ethan” (1 Chron. 6:44) and “Heman” (1 Chron. 15:17-19) who were lead musicians in the time of David.  However, all four men are associated with the tribe of Judah in 1 Chron. 2:6, sons of Zerah.  In 1 Ki. 4:31 “Mahol” actually is Hebrew for “dancing.”  Thus it may refer not to their literal father (Zerah) but to their musical connection.  The point for us in Proverbs is that Solomon was wiser than these Jewish men, also known for their wisdom; and Solomon’s wisdom was known in the nations (as 1 Ki. 4:34 and the story of the Queen of Sheba illustrate).