Prov. 27:6 Vigorous love is better than frivolous hypocrisy.

Prov. 27:12 We should say: "Prudence is more important than valor".

Prov. 27:22 Solomon's pessimism considers foolishness an insurmountable thing.

Prov. 27:23-27 In a rare reference (for this section) to the theme, these verses praise the wisdom of foresight.

Prov. 28:1-29:27 Exploitation and the Need for Law (HBH) The powerful and wealthy often exploit the poor. Oppressors govern without benefiting the governed (28:3; 29:2,4), know nothing of justice (28:5; 29:7), amass fortunes by exorbitant interest (28:8), and ignore the needs of the poor (28:27). Lawlessness brings down societies and families (28:4,7,24; 29:15), and people groan under oppressive rule (28:12; 29:2). Governments should establish justice through law. But in the end justice comes only from GOD (29:26).

Prov. 28:8 Shall increase it for him who pities the poor: This is an echo of the truth of 13:22; according to GOD's reckoning, the wealth of the world will end up in the hands of the righteous.

Prov. 28:13 Shall achieve mercy: Whoever confesses receives mercy from mankind, as well as GOD.

Prov. 28:23 Shall find more grace later: Honesty, although difficult, receives recompense in the end.

Prov. 28:28 It may be that the righteous must, alternately, remain quiet or act, but his tenacity will make him triumph.

Prov. 29:18 See the commentary about the word "vision" in II Chronicles 32:32.

Prov. 29:21 Will become his heir at length: Solomon unknowingly predicts the ascent of his servant Jeroboam to the throne, usurping the place of a son.

Prov. 29:26 In what are his final words in this book, Solomon recognizes as a ruler that the righteousness of his decisions comes from GOD, the grace for which he asked at the beginning of his reign (I Kings 3:9).

Prov. 29:27 Each one prefers those of his state.

Prov 30:1-9 Title and Prologue (HBH) Although these are the "sayings of King Lemuel," they actually come from his mother (31:1). This is one passage of Scripture, therefore, that we may confidently ascribe to a woman (compare Exod. 15:21; Judg. 5).

Those in authority should not use their power for self-indulgence and depravity (31:2-7). Instead, they should devote themselves to defending the poor and the powerless (31:8-9).

Prov. 30:1-33 Note about the author: The identity of Agur isn't known, but his style, different from the rest of the book, expresses truths through vivid images that have equal force. His commentaries aren't those of a passing philosophy, but those of a man with an observant eye and alert mind who interprets his first-hand observations about nature and humanity. Agur loves balance and also enumerates things to reach a climax. As in the rest of the book three...four (verses 15,18,21,29), are rhetorical resources utilized to indicate that he is only offering examples. His list contains: the unsatiable (verses 15,16); the mysterious (verses 18,19); the weak but wise (verses 24-28); and the majestic (verses 29-31).

Prov. 30:24-28 Ants...rabbits...locusts...spider: The characteristics that are identified in these creatures summarize the teachings of the entire book. Ants demonstrate foresight; rabbits, awareness of danger; locusts, cooperation among themselves; the spider, a useful activity (by eliminating harmful insects). The other translation for this creature, "small lizard", would be even more eloquent, because these animals are still considered, in many lands, as beneficial inhabitants in houses. The wise possesses all these qualities.

Prov. 30:33 Without any doubt, wrath leads to violence, whether verbal or physical.

Prov. 31:1-31 Note about the author: As in the case of Agur, we don't know the identity of King Lemuel. He doesn't appear among the kings of Judah or Israel. The place that he occupies in this book he has gained, not by his royal dignity; king or not (there were many in the territories around Israel), his commentaries demonstrate that he possessed great wisdom, although he may have only been a secondary personage, taking into account the fact that he said that his mother taught him.

Prov. 31:2-9 The triple warning against giving oneself to women (v.3), drink (verses 4-7) and in favor of justice (verses 8,9), are directed to a government, not just to a population in general (see v.4). For example, Lemuel had been exhorted, not merely to abstain from oppressing the poor, the needy and the condemned, but to speak in their favor.

The idea is that anyone in authority should be measured according to the strictest standards rather than that of the average person, a principle that Solomon openly violated by acquiring horses, women and golden objects. Whether or not Lemuel and his mother knew the GOD of Israel, they agreed with Him respecting the need to show moderation. Solomon cited his father (4:4); Lemuel his mother (31:1). Wisdom isn't dependent on a person's sex.

Prov. 31:10-31 In Praise of the Virtuous Woman (HBH) This poem is an acrostic. Although the object of praise is the virtuous woman, the original audience of the piece was again the young man. The opening question in 31:10 implies that the reader ought to find such a wife for himself. The woman is trustworthy (31:11), industrious (31:13-19), intelligent (31:16,18), and kind (31:20). She adds dignity to the family (31:23,25) and has much foresight and prudence (31:21,26). For all this she is much loved in her family and is the real center of the home (31:27-29). Above all she fears GOD (31:10). The final verse speaks eloquently against the tendency to regard her role as of inferior significance.

Prov. 31:10-31 It seems more probable that the description of the virtuous woman constitutes an extension of the thoughts of Lemuel's mother, rather than Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. Neither Solomon nor Bathsheba would have enjoyed writing verse 11, after the intention to assassinate his first husband, Uriah (II Sam. 11:15).

Devotional note: The high ideal about the woman, apparently outlined by someone who was herself a virtuous woman and not by a romantic ladies' man, represents an inspired goal. The details about her specific qualities are different in our times, but the principles that they serve to support are eternal.

Stylistic note: Verses 10-31 (22 in total) are part of an acrostic poem, and each one commences with one of the 22 characters that make up the Hebrew alphabet. In their entirety they form a song of praise to the ideal of the married woman.

Theological Significance (HBH) Proverbs challenges believers, especially the young, to learn the lessons of past generations. It gives the practical implications of the confession that GOD is the LORD of all of life. The truly wise show respect for GOD and His standards in all life situations. Living faith can never be divorced from lives of faithfulness. Faith must be lived out in the day-to-day world where problems call for practical wisdom. How we relate to others serves as an indicator of our relationship with GOD.

Questions for Reflection (HBH)

1. What does Proverbs mean by the "fool"? Is it simply a stupid person or a buffoon; or does the term have a deeper, moral dimension?
2. Granted that Proverbs 7 was originally addressed to boys, how can its message be redirected in contemporary society for the teaching of girls also?
3. Briefly describe the teaching of Proverbs on wealth.
4. Proverbs has a practical message. How does this supplement the more "spiritual" teachings of the Bible?

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