In the opening verses of Proverbs, the writer King Solomon, son of King David, provides an overall view of his goal, making Proverbs the only book of the Bible with a formal introduction. He also gives counsel to his son, saying: “A wise man will hear and will increase learning, and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” Solomon states that in order to have knowledge, you must fear the Lord and the wicked are foolish because they do not trust in God. In chapter one verses 8-19, Solomon gives his son more advice, telling him to not walk in the counsel of the wicked and do not consent to their enticing. 

The material in the Proverbs is similar to that of the Psalms, except the Psalms is written in the form of a song. Just like the Psalms stated many times, verses two and three of Proverbs are about the positive and negative sanctions God can give us. Because it is good for your soul, verse two advises the reader to stay away from the wicked and have wisdom. Chapter three starts with Solomon commanding his son to always keep the law and let his heart keep God’s commandments. 

The first section of the book of Proverbs is mainly focused on wisdom. Referencing it again in chapter five, Solomon says that wisdom is ethical and parents must teach it to their children. Wisdom also brings honor, grace, and life. Chapters six and seven tell the reader to be motivated and labor like an ant for the Lord, and hold up the lamp of law and let it shine bright. 

Themes of the first chapters of the Proverbs are mainly wisdom and sanctions, similar to Psalms. The writer King Solomon, also known as “Solomon the Wise,” focuses much more on wisdom than his father King David did in the previous book.