‏ Proverbs 5:1-2

Introduction

In this chapter, Solomon returns in more detail to the depraved heart that leads a man to forsake the wife of his youth for another (Pro 2:16-20). He shows that that path demoralizes the whole man. It is a warning from man to man to avoid any sexual connection with an adulteress, literally strange woman, that is, any woman outside of one’s own, lawful wife.

Discretion and Knowledge

If we assume that in Pro 5:1-6 the grandfather is still speaking to the father, we see that David spoke about this evil of an adulteress, literally a strange woman, to his son Solomon. Either way, it is a matter that every generation has to deal with. Sexual desire does not cease after reaching a certain age. Whoever is tempted by the strange woman has left the path of life and goes the path of death. The terminus of the path with the adulteress, the strange woman, is death. Many deny this. They want, so to speak, to reach life by the way of death. In doing so, life does have a different meaning for them than it does for God. It is impossible to live true life through that path.

The father again begins by encouraging his son to give attention to his “wisdom” and to listen carefully to his “understanding” (Pro 5:1). The “wisdom” is God’s wisdom, what God has revealed; the “understanding” is what he has acquired through experience and observation. He has more often called to listen to him (Pro 2:1; Pro 3:1; 2; Pro 4:1; 10; 20), but here he does so particularly in view of the temptation with which a strange woman approaches him.

If his son is indeed listening, he will “observe discretion” (Pro 5:2). He will then think before he does anything and live carefully and disciplined. This will keep him from making hasty, wrong choices. His lips will “reserve knowledge”, meaning he will speak what he has learned from his father. That knowledge is knowledge of God, knowledge that brings reverence for Him and obedience to His commandments. That knowledge will be evident from his words (“your lips”). “Discretion” and “knowledge” are the basis of avoiding the temptation to commit the disastrous folly of adultery.

These verses are the introduction to the father’s teaching to his son about sexuality. Only by listening to his wise words will he be kept from satisfying his sexual desires in a wrong way. The wrong way is outside of marriage. The father also tells him that he can fully enjoy it within marriage. Therefore, he calls on his son to listen to his wisdom and his understanding (Pro 6:20-24; Pro 7:1-5).

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