1The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Well, he made some unseemly choices. I’ll never understand his need for a zillion wives and concubines…how did he get anything done, in the service of God (rhetorical question). I guess the Proverbs he wrote give evidence that he learned from mistakes.
YEs and the book of Ecclesiastes shows the high price he paid for denying the commands of the Lord in Deuteronomy.
Yes he did, Ecclesiastes is one bummer of a book!
It is indeed. But it surely shows us what not to do.
Well…the Bible would have been greater help if I’d had the added benefit of personal example and instruction (and prayer). I equate it somewhat with Math…in order to pass, I couldn’t just learn it from the text book–I needed good teachers, and for Algebra, a tutor. Long ago I actually wrote a poem about hoping God would “pass” me, as my kind Math teacher had… I’ve spent the past 9 years trying to unlearn poor Bible teaching, and grasp what is good edifying instruction. If my life merits no rewards beyond a basement closet in Heaven, I know one thing for sure–God will give me an A for effort, when it comes to learning His Word.