The book of Proverbs is sometimes called “the young man’s book” (taken from chapter 1:4) because it gives wise and insightful instruction for those inexperienced in life. It presents divine wisdom for our earthly pathway and is helpful for all ages. The aim of the book is to form good character and conduct so that a person will not make a mess out of his life—morally, financially, socially, etc.
The Lord gave Solomon his wisdom (1 Kings 3:11-12), but it was acquired from Him in three main ways:
Through Observation—“I have seen ... ” (Eccl. 1:14).
Through Meditation—“I communed with mine own heart ... ” (Eccl. 1:16a).
Through Experimentation—“I had great experience ... ” (Eccl. 1:16b).
The book as a whole has six major divisions. These are marked by a divinely inspired phrase inserted into the text, separating one section from another. The divisions are:
DIVISION I—Twelve Lessons in a Household (Chapters 1-9).
DIVISION II—Solomon’s Wise Maxims (Chapters 10–22:16).
DIVISION III—The Words of the Wise (Chapters 22:17–24:34).
DIVISION IV—The Second Book of Solomon’s Wise Maxims (Chapters 25–29).
DIVISION V—The Words of Agur (Chapter 30).
DIVISION VI—The Words of King Lemuel (Chapter 31).