THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
MARCH 25TH, 2007
SOME GENERAL ADVICE FROM SOLOMON
Introduction: Verses 27-35 are like the closing statements at the end of a father-son discussion.
I. A friend in need is a friend indeed. (27-30)
A. Solomon wants his son to be a true friend to those around him. (27)
1. When a friend is in need, and you have the ability to help, do not refuse to help. (27)
2. Helping a friend in need is “good”, and Solomon wants his son to be good towards others.
B. Do not delay in doing good to a friend in need. (28)
1. Your neighbor’s need is immediate, so don’t delay in your assistance.
2. Don’t tell your neighbor to wait when you have the ability to help now.
C. Do not think bad thoughts about your neighbor. (29)
1. Your neighbor isn’t going anywhere.
2. Do not plan attacks on your neighbor, or ways getting the best of him.
D. Do not “strive” with a man simply because you don’t like him. (30)
1. If he hasn’t harmed you, then you shouldn’t harm him.
2. It’s unwise to make enemies over nothing.
II. Solomon warns his son about envy and stubbornness. (31-32)
A. Do not envy an oppressive person. (31)
1. The word “oppressor” means a man of violence.
2. Don’t envy a man of his success when he is successful at the expense of others.
3. Envy is wrong, but in this case the object of envy is wrong too.
4. “Choose none of his ways” means that you shouldn’t be like a violent man, or have a violent demeanor about you.
B. A “froward” (stubbornly wicked) person is an abomination to God. (32)
1. A man who is determined to live an ungodly life is considered extremely sinful by the Lord.
2. “His secret is with the righteous” means that God reveals to the godly son the secrets of life that cannot be learned by the violence of a froward man.
3. While the violent man lives by a “take what I can” mentality, the godly man sees through that kind of life because of godly wisdom.
III. Solomon describes the two homes that his son can potentially have for himself. (33-35)
A. The ungodly house has some terrible characteristics:
1. It exists under the “curse of the Lord.” (33)
2. It will be scorned by God because of its ungodliness. (34)
3. It will experience the shame of sinful results. (35)
B. The godly house has some wonderful characteristics:
1. It will be blessed by God. (33)
2. It will be given grace by God. (34)
3. It will “inherit glory.” (35)
- A godly house will have long-term good results, through the years of the family’s life.
Conclusion: Solomon addresses all of his children in the next chapter. The fact that he spends so much time specifically advising his son should show us the importance of rearing godly men in our homes.