Proverbs Two
by Dr. Henry M. Morris
(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)
Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
My son. This phrase begins the fourth “lesson” of Proverbs 1-9. Note again the emphasis on the “words.”
Proverbs 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Proverbs 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
criest after knowledge. Proverbs 2:1-5 of this second chapter provide a classic summary of how to attain a true and in-depth understanding of God's Word and His plan and purpose for the world and its people.
Proverbs 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
hid treasures. See Proverbs 23:23; Matthew 13:44, 52. The words of God, as available now in the Holy Scriptures, are inexhaustibly rich and provide infallible guidance in every area of life and truth.
Proverbs 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
fear of the Lord. This phrase, “the fear of the Lord,” occurs fourteen times in Proverbs (Proverbs 1:7, 29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26, 27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17). The concept of “fear,” of course, implies reverence, such as a good son would feel toward his godly father. When necessary, of course, Godjust as would an earthly fathermay chastise His disobedient sons.
Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Proverbs 2:10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Proverbs 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
Proverbs 2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
Proverbs 2:14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
frowardness. See note on Job 5:13.
Proverbs 2:15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
strange woman. The “strange woman” (i.e., “alien woman”) is named as such no less than ten times in Proverbs, with both literal and figurative applications. Foreign women, with different gods and moral standards than those of Israel, often led God's people into sin, including Solomon himself (1 Kings 11:1-8). This situation also represents spiritual adultery, with the Israelites not only consorting with strange women but also worshipping strange gods. This is suggested in the next verse, “forgetteth the covenant of her god” (Proverbs 2:17).
Proverbs 2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
Proverbs 2:18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
Proverbs 2:19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Proverbs 2:20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
Proverbs 2:21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.