Old Testament Study and Teaching Helps — Lesson 36

The Book of Proverbs Introduction and Chapter 1

The thirty-one proverbs are poetic sayings of instruction and wisdom, dating to about 1,000 BC and often attributed to King Solomon (see Proverbs 1:1). Major themes are cited below, but as an introduction:

- Find in Chapter 1, verses 2-4, nine purposes the proverbs can fulfill.

- What do verses 5-6 say that a “wise man [or woman]” will do? What do verses 8-10 add?

- Verse 7 contains another major theme and perhaps the most profound statement in the book of Proverbs: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” What do you think it means to “fear” the Lord?

Proverbs 2-31 Study by Themes

The Come, Follow Me curriculum considers only eight chapters, but below is another approach that takes you into the most helpful verses, based on themes (the “best” references are in bold). Ponder what you learn from the following:

Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge

Proverbs 2:1-11; 3:13-18; 4:5-7; 8:10-11; 12:1, 15; 13:20; 15:33; 16:16, 20-21; 17:10; 18:15; 23:12

The Lord and His Blessings

Proverbs 3:5-12; 10:27-29; 11:30; 14:26-27; 15:29; 17:3; 19:21; 20:22; 21:3, 31; 28:13; 30:5

Money and Possessions

Proverbs 3:9; 11:4, 28; 13:7, 11; 14:21, 31; 19:17; 21:6, 13; 22:1, 7; 25:21; 28:6, 27

Leadership

Proverbs 3:27; 11:14; 16:12, 32; 24:6; 27:23; 29:2, 4, 14, 18; 31:9

The Lord’s Way

Proverbs 4:18, 25-27; 8:17; 12:28; 15:10, 13, 15; 16:32; 17:22; 19:23; 21:3, 21; 23:17; 28:1

The Law of Chastity

Proverbs 5:3-5; 6:23-29, 32; 7:21-27; 9:13-18; 23:27-28

Work and Diligence

Proverbs 6:6-9; 10:4; 12:24; 13:11; 14:23; 19:15; 20:4, 13; 24:30-32; 28:19

Our Words

Proverbs 9:6-9; 10:11, 19-21; 11:9, 13; 13:3; 15:1-2, 4, 23; 16:24; 18:6-8, 13; 21:23; 25:11-12; 26:17-25; 29:11

Marriage and Family

Proverbs 10:1; 13:1; 17:6; 18:22; 19:18; 22:6; 23:22, 24-25; 29:15; 31:10-31

Pride versus Humility

Proverbs 11:2-3; 13:10; 14:3; 16:5, 18-19; 18:12; 26:12; 27:1-2; 29:23

Ecclesiastes 1-3 A Pessimistic View

This book dates to about 950 BC and contains reflections on life’s problems. The identity of the author is uncertain. Consider:

- Chapters 1-2 express a sentiment somewhat cynical; read 1:2-3, 9-14; 2:11, 18-23; 3:18-20; 9:11. How does it make you feel to read these verses? How would you respond to someone expressing these thoughts?

- Happily, Ecclesiastes 2:13 conveys what may be considered the main positive theme of Ecclesiastes: “Wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.”

- Chapter 3, verses 1-14, highlight the pluses and minuses that life presents, including both trials and blessings. We are to seek, promote, and treasure the good.

Ecclesiastes 11-12 Fear God, and Keep His Commandments

- 11:1—what does it mean to you to “cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days”? One dictionary suggests that it means to do something good, usually without expecting much in return. Read also Ecclesiastes 11:5-6 and Alma 41:14-15.

- 12:7—this verse supports the doctrine of pre-mortal spirit life, for it states that upon death, “the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”

- 12:13—Ecclesiastes ends with an upbeat “conclusion of the whole matter,” which may be the most important verse in the book.

Additional Beneficial References in Ecclesiastes

4:9-11—two are better than one

5:1-2—how to gain more from our temple experiences

5:10—“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver”

5:12—“The sleep of a labouring man is sweet”

5:19—All we have comes from God

7:1—“A good name is better than precious ointment”

9:18—wisdom is better than weapons of war

A Word about the Song of Solomon

The next book in the Bible is Song of Solomon. As the Prophet Joseph Smith worked on the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), it was revealed to him that Song of Solomon is “not inspired writings.” It is common for Church curriculum to skip this book.

The LDS Bible Dictionary states that Song of Solomon “has many beautiful phrases and lyrical prose, often quoted in nonreligious literature…. Both Jews and Christians have at times been reluctant to accept it into the canon of scripture because of its romantic content but have permitted it on the basis of its being an allegory of God’s love for Israel and of the Church.”

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