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2 Samuel 12:24,25
And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him…

1 Kings 2:12
Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.

1 Chronicles 22:9
Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

of Solomon
Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, is traditionally credited as the primary author of the Book of Proverbs. Known for his wisdom, Solomon's reign is often considered a golden age in Israel's history. His wisdom was a gift from God, as described in1 Kings 3:5-14, where Solomon asked for an understanding heart to govern the people. Solomon's wisdom was renowned throughout the ancient world, attracting leaders and scholars to his court. The proverbs attributed to him reflect a deep understanding of human nature and the principles of godly living.

son of David
David, the second king of Israel, was a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). His reign established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. David's legacy is significant in biblical history, as he was promised an everlasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-16), which Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the "Son of David" (Matthew 1:1). Solomon, as David's son, inherited not only the throne but also the responsibility to uphold the covenantal promises made to David. This lineage underscores the continuity of God's plan through the Davidic line.

king of Israel
Solomon's role as king of Israel places him in a position of authority and responsibility over God's chosen people. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity, allowing him to focus on building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem, which became the central place of worship for Israel. As king, Solomon's proverbs carry the weight of royal authority and divine wisdom, intended to instruct not only his contemporaries but also future generations. The title "king of Israel" also connects Solomon to the broader narrative of Israel's history, from the patriarchs to the united monarchy, and ultimately to the messianic hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

“Proverbs” signals that what follows will be concise, memorable sayings divinely designed to impart skill for living.

• The book’s very structure—short, pointed statements—invites meditation and application, echoingDeuteronomy 6:6–7 where God’s words are to be talked about throughout daily life.

• Each proverb carries the weight of God-given wisdom (James 1:5;2 Timothy 3:16), assuring us that these sayings are not merely human insight but Spirit-breathed counsel.

• Later headings (“These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah… copied,”Proverbs 25:1) show that proverbs can be collected and preserved across generations, underscoring their enduring relevance.

The verse ties the ensuing wisdom to Solomon, affirming his primary authorship.

•1 Kings 4:29-34 records that Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs and that people from every nation came to hear his wisdom—clear biblical testimony to his God-given insight.

•Ecclesiastes 1:1 presents Solomon as “the Teacher,” linking wisdom literature across Scripture.

• By naming Solomon first, the text urges us to approach the proverbs with confidence that they flow from the man to whom God said, “I will give you a wise and discerning heart” (1 Kings 3:12).

This phrase roots Solomon’s wisdom in a covenant lineage.

• God promised David an enduring house (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Solomon, as “son of David,” is both fulfillment and foreshadowing of that promise.

• The Davidic connection reminds us that true wisdom is inseparable from God’s redemptive plan, ultimately culminating in Christ, the greater Son of David (Matthew 1:1;Luke 1:32).

• It signals continuity: the same God who guided David now guides Solomon—and, by extension, guides us through these sayings.

Solomon writes not merely as a private sage but as the nation’s ruler.

• His throne room petitions for “an understanding heart to judge Your people” (1 Kings 3:9) show that the proverbs are meant for real-world governance, decision-making, and justice.

• Because “King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom” (1 Kings 10:23-24), the scope of these proverbs extends from palace to peasant, offering guidance for every social station (Proverbs 31:4-9; 28:2).

• The royal title underscores accountability: a king answers to God (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). The wisdom he shares is meant to keep both leaders and citizens walking in righteousness.

Proverbs 1:1 is more than a label; it is a banner of authority, lineage, and purpose. “These are the proverbs” alerts us that we are stepping into a treasury of God-inspired life skills. “Of Solomon” grounds that treasury in the man gifted with unparalleled wisdom. “Son of David” ties the book to God’s covenant story, while “king of Israel” reminds us that this wisdom is practical, public, and accountable. From the very first verse, God invites us to receive these sayings with reverence and to let them shape every facet of life.

(1)Proverbs.--For the various senses of the Hebrewm?sh?lthus translated, see Introduction.

Solomon.--The absolute quiet and prosperity of the reign of Solomon (the man of peace), as described in1Kings 4:20,sqq.,would naturally be conducive to the growth of a sententious philosophy; whereas the constant wars and dangerous life of David had called forth the impassioned eloquence of the Psalms.

(1) "to make like," "to assimilate," and

(2) "to have dominion" (Gesenius).

The radical signification ofmashal is "comparison" or "similitude," and in this sense it is applied generally to the utterances of the wise. InNumbers 23:7, 8 it is used of the prophetic predictions of Balaam; certain didactic psalms,e.g.Psalm 49:5 and Psalm 78:2, are so designated, and in Job (Job 27:1 and Job 29:1) it describes the sententious discourses of wise men. While all these come under the generic term ofm'shalim, though few or no comparisons are found in them, we find the termmashal sometimes used of what are proverbs in the sense of popular sayings. Compare "Therefore it became a proverb (מָשָׁל), Is Saul also among the prophets?" (1 Samuel 10:12); and see also other instances inEzekiel 16:4 and Ezekiel 18:2. In this sense it is also found in the collection before us. The predominant idea of the term, however, is that of comparison or similitude, and as such it is better represented by the Greekπαραβολή (fromπαραβάλλω, "to set or place side by side"), literally, a placing beside, or comparison, than byπαροιμία, "a byword," or "a trite wayside saying," though in the Greek of the synoptic Gospelsπαροιμία is equivalent toπαραβολή. The English word "proverb" insufficiently renders the wider scope of meaning conveyed in the Hebrewmashal, and is not quite accurately rendered here, since of proverbs in our ordinary signification of that word there are comparatively few in this collection. The Hebrew word here means "maxims," "aphorisms," "wise counsels."Of Solomon. Most modern commentators (Delitzsch, Zockler, Fuerst, Stuart, Plumptre, etc.), while attributing, in a greater or less degree, the authorship of the book to Solomon, regard the insertion of his name in the title as indicating rather that he is the dominant spirit among those wise men of his age, some of whose sayings are here incorporated with his own.King of Israel, as forming the second hemistich of the verse, goes with "Solomon," and not "David." This is indicated in the Authorized Version by the position of the comma. The Arabic Version omits allusion to David, and reads, "Proverbia, nempe documenta Salomonis sapientis, qui regnavit super filios Israel." The proverbial or parabolic form of teaching was a recognized mode of instruction among the Hebrews, and in the Christian Church is recommended by St. Clement of Alexandria ('Strom.,' lib. 11,init.).

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