This volume contains an introduction to the book of Proverbs, as well as commentary and discussion of key themes such as pride and wisdom. Storms’ also includes a list of recommended commentaries on Proverbs.
“The proverbs are designed to identify and name the underlying patterns and principles which abide more or less constant in the flux of human living.” (source)
“Therefore, we must distinguish between a proverb and a promise or law. Proverbs are not inflexible laws built into God’s creation, admitting of no exceptions. Neither are they promises which bind God unconditionally to always fulfill what the proverb says is true. Christians have become discouraged when they ‘claim God’s promises’ by holding up to Him some proverbial saying, only then to experience the unusual or exceptional.” (source)
“The English word ‘proverb’ derives from the Latin words pro (‘for’) and verba (‘words’), which reflects the idea that a proverb condenses many words into a few.” (source)
“The book was edited by certain individuals during Hezekiah’s reign (715 to 686 b.c.), some 250 years after Solomon” (source)
“he fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, a word that refers to the first and controlling principle” (source)