Proverbs 1 – The Launch Pad.Solomon’s opening shot. Not gentle intro—it’s a trumpet. The whole book hangs on this chapter. Miss it, and the rest is just clever sayings. Nail it, and every proverb becomes a hammer. Verses 1-6 – The proverbs of Solomon… to know wisdom and instruction… • Purpose statement. Seven goals stacked like ammo: know wisdom (ḥokmâ), instruction (mûsār), understanding words of insight, receive prudent behavior, do justice/righteousness/equity, give prudence to the simple, knowledge/discretion to the young. •Hebrew ḥokmâ isn’t head-knowledge—it’s skill. Like a master craftsman shaping wood. Life-skill from God.• Mûsār = discipline. The rod that hurts but straightens. Not punishment—training. • The book isn’t for experts. It’s for the simple (petî)—the open-minded, the naive, the kid who hasn’t burned his hand yet. And for the wise—to get wiser. No arrival. Only progress. Verse 7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. •The hinge verse. The motto of the whole book.• Fear = yirʾat YHWH. Not terror. Awe that reorients everything. Like standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon—small, silent, respectful. • Beginning = rēʾšît. First in rank, not just time. Foundation. Without it, you’re building on sand. • Fools = ʾĕwîlîm. Not dumb—morally defiant. They despise (bāzû). Actively reject. Wisdom’s right there; they spit on it. • Punch: Every addict, every gossip, every lukewarm saint starts here—despising the fear that would save them. Verses 8-9 – Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching… • First command: listen to parents. Torah-echo (Deut 6).• Garland for head, pendant for neck—beauty, not burden. Obedience isn’t chains; it’s jewelry that makes you shine. Verses 10-19 – Warning against the gang. If sinners entice you, do not consent… • Classic trap: blood-money crew. Feet run to evil, swift to shed blood. Greed disguised as brotherhood.