We begin our new season with the book of Proverbs. Although the book begins with a title ascribing the proverbs to Solomon, it is clear from later chapters that he was not the only author of the book. Pr 22:17 refers to the "sayings of the wise," and 24:23 mentions additional "sayings of the wise." The presence of an introduction in 22:17-21 further indicates that these sections stem from a circle of wise men, not from Solomon himself. Ch. 30 is attributed to Agur son of Jakeh and 31:1-9 to King Lemuel, neither of whom is mentioned elsewhere. Lemuel's sayings contain several Aramaic spellings that may point to a non-Israelite background.

If Solomon is granted a prominent role in the book, most of Proverbs would stem from the tenth century b.c. during the time of Israel's united kingdom. The peace and prosperity that characterized that era accord well with the development of reflective wisdom and the production of literary works.

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2For learning wisdom and discipline;

for understanding insightful sayings;

3for receiving prudent instruction

in righteousness, justice, and integrity;

4for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced,

knowledge and discretion to a young man —

5let a wise person listen and increase learning,

and let a discerning person obtain guidance —

6for understanding a proverb or a parable,

the words of the wise, and their riddles.

7The fear of the Lord

is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and discipline.

https://www.bible.com/bible/1713/PRO.1.CSB

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