Proverbs Study, The Beginning of Knowledge: Proverbs 1:1-7

Series Introduction

The small group I meet with is going through Proverbs. I have never done an in-depth study on Proverbs. This is a good time to dig a little deeper and make a guide to share with my daughter when she gets older. She’s only 16 months old. I am not a pastor or work in a ministry and am not trying to write a commercial publication. With that said, please feel free to use this among yourselves. I have a NOTE at the bottom explaining the legalities and a copyright just in case something comes into question. Thank you for reading and I hope this sparks something in your life.

Introduction to Solomon

Solomon was the son of David, King of Israel. When David passed, Solomon became king.

Reading: 2 Chronicles 1:1-12 (NKJV)

After Solomon had become King, God appeared to Solomon and asked him what he wanted.

2 Chronicles 1:7 – On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

Solomon could have asked for anything. Riches. Power. Long life. Instead, Solomon asked for wisdom.

2 Chronicles 1:10 – Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”

God found it favorable that he had no asked for riches or long life. He then granted Solomon his wish.

2 Chronicles 1:11, 12 – Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king— (12) wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.”

Solomon was also rewarded with riches, wealth, and honor. This was to be like no king before or after him.

The Beginning

Read Proverbs 1:1-7 (NKJV) at Biblegateway.com

We all find ourselves seeking something at various points of our lives. We will have to make decisions, help others, or even set the fate of another person. God answered the request of one man, and then delivered that information to us through His word. Let’s review some of the things that we can attain.

Read through Proverbs 1:1-4 and fill in the blanks.

To Know… (v.2a)
_____ and ____

To Perceive… (v.2b)
_____ of _____

To Receive… (v.3)
instruction of _____, _____, _____, _____ and _____

To Give… (v.4)
_____ to the simple,
to the young man, _____ and _____

What Man Should Seek

Proverbs 1:5

What will a wise man seek? (v.5a)

What will a man of understanding seek? (v.5b)

What is the difference between a wise man and a man of understanding?

Why might someone with understanding still need to seek counsel?

How Do You Understand?

Proverbs 1:6-7

Verse 6 to me recaps Verses 2-5. To understand everything that was just listed, and the wise you seek counsel from, here is what you do. Verse 7 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge. You need to be in service to God before he’s going to help you out.

It also warns that if we refuse to seek instruction or simply think we already have the answers, we are foolish. So many times we do this in our ever day lives. It is easy to get caught up in a hero complex, or simply mistrust everyone around us. We have to stay focused on this verse and remember we can learn from those around us.

Word Study

I’ve taken a more recent interest in looking at the greek words and their meanings. Sometimes it is good to read a definition of a word and see where it comes from so you can understand it properly.

Wisdom –

Strong’s 4678 – Greek word σοφία (sophia). This greek word comes from “sophos”, which means skill, wisdom. “sophia” is the root of the english words “sophistication” and “philosophy”.

Reference – BibleHub.com Greek 4678

Understanding –

Strong’s 3563 – Greek word noús (nous). This is the God-given capacity of each person to think.

Reference – BibleHub.com Greek 3563

Discussion

Solomon was in a very unique position. He could have asked God for anything, but chose wisdom and knowledge instead. God then passed this on to us through the writings of Solomon. We now have the same opportunity that Solomon had to understand, be wise, and make good decisions throughout our lifetime. The only requirement is that we fear the Lord and accept instruction.

Who is someone in your life you can call a mentor?

Are they wise, or do they just make things sound good?

What makes them a mentor?

Think of an example of a time you played the part of the fool. What was the outcome?

What did you learn from that experience?

What is wisdom in the eyes of the world?

What is wisdom in the eyes of the Lord?

How are these different?

Memorization

Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Wrap-Up

This is the key verse for this entire section of scripture. If we don’t remember what the beginning of knowledge is, we will never gain wisdom. If we decide things on our own or decide we’re wise and start talking, we’re on the wrong path. You can’t simply go to court and claim you’re a lawyer. You certainly can’t walk into an operating room and perform surgery on someone.

Seek the Lord first, then let him guide you people and places that you can learn from. Ask, listen, and understand. In time, you can be wise.

(C) 2016 Dan Joseph and danjoseph.me

NOTE: You have permission to print this out and use it in your small groups and studies. I am not doing this credit or recognition. I am doing this for myself, my family, and specifically to some day teach it to my daughter. I am not a Pastor or work for a ministry. The only thing I ask is that you don’t take it as your own and publish it to make money off of it.