PROVERBS OUTLINE
A Ralph Johnson
Theme: Wise Sayings.
The proverbs are gems of wisdom reduced to brief pointed sayings, written in Hebrew poetic style. They are generalizations, rather than invariable truths. For example, it is generally true that the righteous live long in the land. The Hebrew title is “maashaal,” meaning, “parallel”—to compare two things for similarities and distinctions. They are almost all couplets with parallelism in which the second line either contrasts or amplifies the first.
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CHAPTERS & KEY WORDS |
OUTLINE 31ch(3+4 Appendix) (brief) |
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1: Fear |
TITLE: “THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON” (1:1)
INTRO: Purpose of the book: “To know wisdom and instruction” (1:2-6)
I. “THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE” (1:7—24:21) (A connected didactic poem on the value of wisdom)
My son, hear instructions for they shall grace your head (1:8-9) My son, if sinners entice, consent not (1:10-14) My son, do not walk in their ways. It takes away their lives (1:15-19) Wisdom cries aloud. (1:20 -33) Those who will not listen will not be heard when they need her. 24 |
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2: Deliver |
My son, if thou will receive my words… (2:1-4) 1. Then shall you understand the fear of Jehovah. (5-11) 2. To deliver you from the way of evil (12-19) From men who speak perverse things (12-15) From strange women who flatter with her words. (16 -19) 3. That you may walk in the way of good men (16-22) |
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3: Forget not |
My son, forget not my law and you will have a good life. (3:1-10) My son, despise not the Lord’s chastening. You will be happy (3:11-20) My son…Keep sound wisdom… You will walk securely. (3:21-35) |
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4: Hear |
Hear, ye children …Wisdom…will bring you honor. (4:1-9) My son, Hear…and the years of thy life shall be many. (4:10-19) My son, attend unto my words…turn not to the right or left. (4:20-27) |
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5: Attend |
My son, attend unto my wisdom to keep you from the strange woman (5:1-6) My son, listen to me ...lest you give your honor to others (7-14) Drink waters out of your own cistern--rejoice in the wife of your youth. (15-23) |
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6: Sluggard |
My son,…deliver your soul…from being surety. (6:1-5) 1. Go to the ant, sluggard-- (6:6-15) 2. A wicked man (6:12) 2. Six things which the Lord hates. (16-19) My son, keep the commandments of your father and mother. (20-23) To keep from the evil woman. (24-35) 25 Lust not after her beauty. 27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 32 He that commits adultery is void of understanding |
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7: Unfaithful |
My son, keep my words…that they may keep from the unfaithful woman. The simple are forced by her flattery and go like an ox to the slaughter. (7:1)
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8: Wisdom calls |
1. She calls to righteousness, which is better than rubies. (8:1-11) 2. She enriches those who listen (8:12-21) 3. She was with God from the beginning. (8:22-31) 4. In wisdom is life but those who reject love death. (8:32 ) |
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9: House |
5. Wisdom has prepared her house and invites to eat with her. (9:1-6) 6. Five proverbs for wise men. (9:7-12) 7. Those who listen to the foolish woman enter into the depths of Sheol. (9:13-18) (This may be contrasting wisdom to folly)
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10: Solomon |
II. “PROVERBS OF SOLOMON” (10:1—22:16) (A collection of detached proverbs)
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A wise son makes a glad father… (10:1) |
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11: Balance |
A false balance is an abomination… (11:1) |
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12: Correction |
Whoso loves correction loves knowledge… (12:1) |
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13: Hear |
A wise son listens to his father’s instruction… (13:1) |
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14: House |
Every wise woman builds her house but the foolish destroys it… (14:1) |
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15: Soft |
A soft answer turns away wrath… (15:1) |
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16: Plans |
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer is from Jehovah. (16:1) |
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17: Better dry |
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness than many sacrifices and strife... (17:1) |
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18: Separates |
He that separates himself seeks his own way contrary to wisdom… (18:1) |
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19: Better poor |
Better is the poor that walks in his integrity than perverse lips (19:1) |
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20: Wine |
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a destroyer… (20:1) |
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21: King |
The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah. He turns it where he will… (21:1) |
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22: Words |
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches… (22:1)
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III. “HEAR THE WORDS OF THE WISE” (closing appeal to "my son") (22:17—24:22) (Here he returns to a more connected didactic format) 1. Words of the wise are pleasant (22:17-21) 2. Things to avoid. (22:22-29) |
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23: Be careful |
3. When you sit to eat with a ruler, be careful what you say and do (23:1) My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad (23:15-18) My Son, be wise and guide your heart that your father and mother may be glad (23:19-25) My Son, give me your heart and let me delight in your ways. 1. Beware of the harlot (23:26-28) 2. Beware excess (29-35) Who has woe?… 30 They that tarry long at wine |
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24: Other sayings |
3. Be not envious of evil men but be wise and be strong (24:1-12) My son, eat the sweetness of wisdom rather than the fruits of the wicked (24:13-20 My son, fear Jehovah and the king; and don’t join the lawless (24:21)
APPENDIX I. OTHER SAYINGS OF THE WISE (24:23-34) A. Be Just, honest and not given to vengeance (24:23-29) B. Beware of being lazy. (24:30-34)
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25: Hezekiah |
APPENDIX II. OTHER PROVERBS OF SOLOMON COPIED OUT BY THE MEN OF HEZEKIAH (chap. 25—29) (Mostly detached proverbs.) The glory of kings is to search out a matter… (25:1) |
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26: Snow |
As snow in summer…so honor is not appropriate for a fool. (26:1) |
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27: Boast |
Boast not of tomorrow… (27:1) |
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28: Flee |
The wicked flee when no man pursues… (28:1) |
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29: Neck |
He that hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed… (29:1)
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30: Agur |
APPENDIX III. SAYINGS OF AGUR (chap. 30) (connected didactic proverbs) 1. “I am brutish” (concern for weakness). (2-4) 2. “Every word of God is tried” His word is reliable. Don’t change it. (5-6) 3. “Two things have I asked” Keep me from poverty and from riches.. (7-9) 4. “Slander not a servant to his master.” (10) 5. Marks of a wicked generation. (11-14) 6. Things never satisfied. (15-16) 7. Dishonor to parents will have consequences. (17) 8. Four wonderful things. (18-19) 9. The way of an adulterous woman. (20) 10. For three things the earth trembles and for four which it cannot bear. (21-23) 11. Four little things that are wise. (24-28) 12. Four stately things. (29-31) 13. Take care to keep your tongue. (32-33)
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31: Lemuel |
APPENDIX IV. SAYINGS OF KING LEMUEL WHICH HIS MOTHER TAUGHT HIM (chap. 31) A. Beware of women, wine and injustice. (1-9) B. A Worthy Woman from A to Z (acrostic) 10-31 |