Proverbs-Ecclesiastes

Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary

Table of Contents

Introduction to Proverbs and Ecclesiastes

Proverbs

Proverbs with Purpose Prov 1:1-7

Prosperity from Greed Prov 1:8-19

Wisdom's Security Prov 1:20-33

The Teacher's Syllabus Prov 2:1-22

Wisdom's Absolute Surrender Prov 3:1-12

Wisdom's Incomparability Prov 3:13-20

Wisdom for Community Life Prov 3:21-35

The Wisdom of Experience Prov 4:1-9

The Way of Life Prov 4:10-19

The Heart of Wisdom Prov 4:20-27

The Seduction of an "Other" Prov 5:1-23

An Interlude on Foolishness and Wickedness Prov 6:1-19

The Foolishness of Adultery Prov 6:20-35

The Parent's Final Admonition on Adultery Prov 7:1-27

Woman Wisdom Comes Calling Prov 8:1-36

Feasting at Wisdom's Table Prov 9:1-18

Righteousness vs. Wickedness Prov 10:1-32

Justice for the Righteous Prov 11:1-31

Foundations for Success Prov 12:1-28

The Essentials of Education Prov 13:1-25

Wisdom in Public Prov 14:1-35

The Discipline of Reason and Religion Prov 15:1-33

The Center of the Universe Prov 16:1-33

Less Is More Prov 17:1-28

The Good Life and Its Social Context Prov 18:1-24

On Getting an Education Prov 19:1-29

Threats to the Good Life Prov 20:1-30

Wisdom and Wickedness Prov 21:1-31

The Profitability of Wisdom Prov 22:1-16

Between Rich and Poor Prov 22:17–23:11

Between Envy and the Fear of the Lord Prov 23:12-24:22

More Wise Words: The Court and Work Prov 24:23-34

Discriminating Kings, Courts, and Choices Prov 25:1-28

What Is a Fool? Prov 26:1-28

Focus on This Day's Work Prov 27:1-27

A Just Economy Prov 28:1-28

Society and Good Government Prov 29:1-27

Riddled with Questions Prov 30:1-33

A Woman's Wisdom Prov 31:1-31

Ecclesiastes

Introduction to Ecclesiastes: The Legacy of Skepticism

Reflections on a Royal Point of View Eccl 1:1-3

Conclusions Drawn from Creation Eccl 1:4-11

What Is Crooked Cannot Be Made Straight Eccl 1:12-18

The Challenge of Understanding Pleasure Eccl 2:1-11

Is Wisdom Worth It? Eccl 2:12-17

A Review of Toil, Profit, Wisdom, and Folly Eccl 2:18-26

Everything in Its Place Eccl 3:1-15

Imagining a World of Justice Eccl 3:16-22

The Relative Good vs. the Absolute Good Eccl 4:1-16

Honesty Eccl 5:1-7

Enjoyment Is God’s Gift Eccl 5:8-6:9

Restating the Problem: What Is Good? Eccl 6:10-7:14

Response to Human Nature Eccl 7:15-29

The Task of Restraining the Wind Eccl 8:1-17

Live Life in the Present, Because Death Stalks Eccl 9:1-10

Life Turns on Unrecognizable Detail Eccl 9:11–10:15

The Realities of Human Society Eccl 10:16–11:6

Conclusion: On Human Destiny Eccl 11:7–12:8

Distance Makes the Difference Eccl 12:9-14

Bibliography

Index of Modern Authors

Index of Sidebars for Proverbs

Index of Sidebars for Ecclesiastes

Index of scriptures

Index of topics

Illustration credits