8-17-06 Proverbs 1:1, 2

Proverbs 1:1, 2 (KJ21)
The Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

Proverbs 1:1, 2 (NAS)
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,

Proverbs 1:1, 2 (NIVUS)
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;

Proverbs 1:1, 2 (NLT)
These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings.

Some people exalt in their mental superiority; they are always trying to impress people with their pithy maxims. They are quick to discourse on their latest discovery to show off just how intelligent they are.

There are others, however, who speak in poetry, parables, and proverbs to help someone else. They use similes and allegories to make something clearer and easier to understand. Jesus Christ was one such person, as was King Solomon of the Old Testament. Both demonstrated their power to rule through their speech. Solomon, the son of Israel's beloved King David, was a man of peace, who sought counsel to reign from Adonai, the Most High God. You, therefore, should pay attention to his words, for they come from Almighty God.

Solomon knew that he needed wisdom. He recognized that it was the only thing that could make him a skillful ruler, who could deal well and justly with his people. He was aware that God's instruction, chastisement, and reproof were necessary for him to be wise. He could only advise and instruct others through the discipline and correction that he received. As he was reformed, he could teach others the way to their reformation. Wisdom allowed him to more easily distinguish between what was right and wrong. Through the Lord's word, Solomon became cunning and discerning. He gained understanding from the promises that God gave. He left a legacy of being the wisest man that ever lived.

If you would like to have wisdom like Solomon, then you must do what he did. You must pay close attention to all of Adonai's words, instructions, and directions. As you choose to follow all of these, you will learn to rule and reign as one of Israel's greatest kings