Proverbs 1

1. 1:1

   The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel.

   Do we really want to take advice from a guy who had 700 wives, none of whom had a four-year degree?

   Solomon is credited with writing these proverbs, yet historical texts mention his massive harem and complex personal life. Does a writer's messy or unconventional personal life disqualify their practical advice, or is it possible to separate a person's wisdom from their own questionable choices?

2. 1:2

   Their purpose is to gain wisdom and instruction, to understand insightful sayings,

   Presumably Solomon’s wisdom curriculum contains helpful advice about polyamory.

   The text explicitly states that the entire purpose of these sayings is to gain wisdom and deep understanding. Given that Solomon’s own life included an enormous household of hundreds of wives, did his definitions of "wisdom" and a "well-ordered life" look entirely different from modern ideas of family and stability?

3. 1:3

   to receive instruction in wise behavior—righteousness, justice, and fairness—

   Do we really want to take advice about fairness from a guy whose best solution once involved cutting a baby in half?

   The book promises to teach righteousness, justice, and absolute fairness. Looking at Solomon’s famous courtroom tactic of threatening to slice a baby in two to reveal the real mother, how does one balance the idea of "fairness" with the extreme, high-stress strategies leaders sometimes use to get to the truth?

4. 1:4

   to give prudence to the simple, and knowledge and discretion to the young.

   Proverbs is directed to the young, so it’s odd there’s no advice about SAT prep—or colleges in Moab.

   The joke highlights that Proverbs focuses on ancient moral virtues rather than the practical milestones today’s youth face, like college prep or career planning. Considering how much the world has changed since Solomon's time, does a book focused entirely on ancient character traits remain genuinely useful for a young person trying to navigate the modern world?

5. 1:5

   Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and let the discerning acquire guidance,

   Here we see wisdom is a lifelong process, meaning nobody ever actually graduates. You always need one more continuing Solomon education credit.

   The verse stresses that even people who are already wise need to keep listening and growing in learning. If wisdom is a permanent, lifelong process with no final graduation day, how should that reality change how people view their own personal failures and mistakes along the way?

Rest of the chapter coming soon.