a8:1–9:18
b8:1–9:6
c9:13-18
d1 Cor 1:18–2:16
eProv 9:3
g8:1-2
h8:2
i8:3
j8:6-9
k1:2-7
l6:16-19
m8:10-11
n8:12
o8:13
p1:7
q9:10
r8:15-16
s1 Kgs 3:16-28
t8:22-25
uIsa 40:13-14
vCol 1:15-17
w2:3
x8:27-29
y8:30
z8:32-36
aa8:35-36
abLuke 23:43
ac1 Cor 15
ad9:1-6
ae9:13-18
ai9:14
ak9:16
am9:7-9
ao9:10-12
ap9:13-18
aq9:1-6
ar9:13
as9:14
at9:2-3
au9:17
av9:2-5
aw9:18

‏ Proverbs 8

Summary for Prov 8:1-9:18: 8:1–9:18  a The first part of Proverbs climaxes when the son encounters two women. Both invite the young man, and the reader with him, into an intimate relationship. The young man and the reader must decide between the woman named Wisdom, personifying the true wisdom of God (8:1–9:6  b), and the woman named Folly (9:13-18  c), representing the wisdom of the world (1 Cor 1:18–2:16  d). Both women’s houses are on “the heights overlooking the city” (Prov 9:3  e, 14  f), suggesting ancient temples; the choice is thus between the true God and false gods.
Summary for Prov 8:1-2: 8:1-2  g Wisdom calls out openly and publicly, appealing to all and offering them her gift of wisdom. Like a prophet, she wants all to respond to her words.
8:2  h The hilltop and crossroads provide maximum public access to all who pass by.
8:3  i In ancient Near Eastern cities, the city gates had built-in chambers for conducting legal proceedings and business transactions. It was an appropriate place for Wisdom to make her appeal to the most people.
Summary for Prov 8:6-9: 8:6-9  j Wisdom is associated with truth, understanding, and knowledge, which are right, wholesome, plain, and clear. Wisdom detests deception, which is devious and crooked (cp. 1:2-7  k; 6:16-19  l).
Summary for Prov 8:10-11: 8:10-11  m Choose: An ethical choice must be made between seeking money or valuables and seeking wisdom, which is far more valuable.
8:12  n Good judgment, knowledge, and discernment are only available to those who have Wisdom.
8:13  o Those who choose wisdom, i.e., those who fear the Lord (see 1:7  p; 9:10  q), will not speak in ways that harm others or bend the truth.
Summary for Prov 8:15-16: 8:15-16  r The best rulers choose wisdom to guide them (e.g., 1 Kgs 3:16-28  s).
Summary for Prov 8:22-25: 8:22-25  t formed me from the beginning ... I was appointed in ages past: God’s wisdom has always existed. His wisdom is here personified, but wisdom itself is not a person. Wisdom does not exist outside of God; wisdom is an expression of his character and nature. Unlike pagan gods, God needs no outside counselor to give him instructions (see Isa 40:13-14  u). Jesus is the apex of God’s wisdom (see Col 1:15-17  v; 2:3  w).
Summary for Prov 8:27-29: 8:27-29  x God used his wisdom to establish the created order, so wisdom can tell us how the world works and testifies to God’s greatness.
8:30  y architect: God’s wisdom guided the shaping of creation, bringing order out of chaos.
Summary for Prov 8:32-36: 8:32-36  z Wisdom offers great rewards to those who listen to and follow wisdom.
Summary for Prov 8:35-36: 8:35-36  aa Life is the ultimate reward for the wise, while rejecting wisdom results in death. These verses point to eternal life and death (see Luke 23:43  ab; 1 Cor 15  ac).

‏ Proverbs 9

Summary for Prov 9:1-6: 9:1-6  ad The invitation to join Wisdom for a lavish meal is met by a competing invitation in 9:13-18  ae. 9:1  af The number seven can denote grandeur or fullness, so the seven columns represent the grandeur of Wisdom’s house, the place where it dwells.
9:2  ag In the ancient Near East, a great banquet would accompany a marriage, a military victory, or the making of a treaty. Wisdom’s celebration marks the beginning of a committed relationship with the hearer.
9:3  ah Throughout the ancient Near East, temples were built on the heights overlooking the city. A commitment to wisdom involves a commitment to the Lord (contrast 9:14  ai).
9:4  aj Wisdom makes her appeal especially to the simple and those who lack good judgment because they have not yet decided between wisdom and folly. See 9:16  ak, where Folly mimics and then perverts Wisdom’s words.
9:6  al Wisdom gives people the ability to navigate life successfully.
Summary for Prov 9:7-9: 9:7-9  am These verses seem to create an awkward break between the invitations of Wisdom and Folly, but perhaps the purpose is to caution that, in contrast with inviting the simple (9:4  an), inviting mockers and the wicked is futile at best. Such people have already chosen their path and respond to Wisdom’s advice with violence. By contrast, the wise appreciate corrective advice; they welcome it and benefit from it.
Summary for Prov 9:10-12: 9:10-12  ao Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.
Summary for Prov 9:13-18: 9:13-18  ap The woman named Folly also invites the simple and those who lack good judgment to join her for the banquet she has prepared. Her invitation and advice are antithetical to Wisdom’s (9:1-6  aq). 9:13  ar The woman named Folly is brash: Fools talk boldly and without shame but have nothing intelligent to say.
9:14  as On the heights overlooking the city was the traditional location for a temple. Folly personifies false gods and goddesses that compete for the affection and loyalty of God’s people (contrast 9:2-3  at).
9:17  au Like Wisdom, Folly has prepared a banquet for her guests (cp. 9:2-5  av). However, this meal is dishonest and perverse.
9:18  aw Folly’s dinner guests end up in the depths of the grave, in contrast to the reward for Wisdom’s guests (see 9:6  ax).
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