Proverbs - Introduction

The book of Proverbs follows the Psalms and is a distinct  type of writing in the Old Testament. It is a book of wisdom which indicates what a life looks like when lived according to the wisdom that comes from the Lord.  A 'proverb' is usually a short statement (or saying) of  truth that captures what is observed or seen in life. They are different from promises or commands because the stated outcome or result is not absolute or a guarantee. It might be better to think of proverbs more in terms of principles rather than promises.
Most of the proverbs were probably written by Solomon, the King of Israel. (There are other writers as well, who are named but unknown.) The Author of them all is The LORD. Solomon was given great wisdom from the Lord (1 Kings 3:2-15) and observed life from a godly viewpoint in Proverbs (some suggest that these were written during the early years of his life when he walk with the Lord ).  1 Kings 4:32 states Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. When reading the Proverbs, it is important to remember that the truth being stated is sometimes restated using different words for emphasis or draw a contrast. (The point of the proverb is thus emphasized from different vantage point.) Since most of these stand alone in a verse or two, it is difficult to have an outline of the book. Since Solomon wrote this over a period of time, you can see various themes that occur over and over. When you put the themes together you come up with the following topics that are touched on in the book. Note: These are broad and do not cover ever verse.

Personal [Do you have self-control]

Adultery   5:1-4; 6:20-35; 29:3; 30:20
Anger   14:17,29; 15:1,18; 16:32; 19:11; 20:2; 21:14; 22:8,14,24; 25:23; 27:4; 29:22; 30:33
Food   10:3; 12:11; 23:20-21; 25:16; 30:8
Sleep   3:24; 4:16; 6:6-11; 12:27; 20:13; 22:13; 31:15
Alcohol & Drunkenness   20:1; 23:29-35; 31:4
Words   2:1,16; 4:20; 10:19; 12:6; 14:15; 15:1,23, 16:24, 28; 17:27; 18:4; 20:19; 22:12, 17 25:11,20; 29:20;  30:5

Relational  [How do you relate to others]

Wife  5:15-20; 12:4; 14:1; 21:9,19; 27:15; 31:10-31
Family Life   5:15-19; 6:20; 13:1; 14:1; 22:6;  23:24-25; 29:15, 17; 31:10-31
Friendships   6:1,3; 14:20; 16:28 17:9,17,18; 18:24; 19:4,6; 22:11; 27:6,10, 14, 17    
Business Matters  11:1, 16:11, 20:23 / 17:8,23; 18:16; 21:14; 28:21
Borrowing   6:1-5; 20:16; 22:7, 26-27
The King (Rulers)    16:10,12,14; 20:2,8,26,28, 22:11, 24:21; 25:1,5,6; 29:4,14; 30:27, 31:1
  6:7; 23:1; 28:15; 28:12,26
Sinners/Wicked   1:10; 4:14   23:17; 24:19-20
Enemies   16:7; 24:17; 25:21; 27:6

Directional  [What gives you direction in life]

Fear   1:7; 9:10; 14:16; 15:16; 29:25
Trust   3:5; 11:28; 16:20; 22:19; 28:25,26; 29:25; 30:5; 31:11
Wisdom   1:20-23; 3:13-20; 8:1-36; 9:1-6
Fools   10:18, 12:15; 14:16; 15:5; 26:3-5
Ways   1:15,31; 2:8,12; 4:19; 6:23; 7:27; 8:13,20; 10:17,29; 12:15,28; 13:15; 14:12*; 15:9; 16:9,25; 21:2;  22:6

Universal [Wisdom in all areas of life]

Love   8:17; 10:12; 15:17; 27:5
Hate   1:22; 6:16; 8:13.36; 9:8; 19:7; 25:17; 29:10  
Pride/Humility   6:17; 11:2; 16:5,18,19; 21:4; 29:3
Discipline/Chastening   1:2-3; 3:11-12; 5:23; 10:17; 12:1; 13:18,24; 19:18; 22:5;  23:13; 25:12; 29:15,17
Poor   14:31; 19:1,17; 22:2; 30:8
Riches   10:15; 11:4; 18:11; 23:5; 28:20
Death   5:5; 7:27; 8:36; 9:18; 11:17; 14:32; 15:11,24; 23:14; 30:16
Sin   14:9,34; 16:4; 20:13; 31;15

Key verses: Provers 1:8, 9:10

Themes: Godly wisdom and Human folly

Outline: (McGee)
i.   Wisdom and folly contrasted 1-9
ii.  Proverbs of Solomon he wrote and set in order 10-24
iii .Proverbs of Solomon he wrote and set in order by men of Hezekiah 25-29
iv. Oracles of Agur (unknown) 30
v.  Proverbs of a mother to Lemuel 31