Christian Leaders’ Guide to The Art of Wisdom – Chapter 4
We now get insight into David’s teaching. A perfect father he was not! And yet he did just enough to bring up the wisest king the world has known, save the Son of God Himself. Solomon goes back to his “tender” youth, as the only living son of Bathsheba. It would appear that it was David’s encouragement that brought him to ask of God wisdom. The personification of wisdom as the good woman is very strong in this chapter. See if you can find a way to capitalize on that.
Perhaps pointing out the poor start his mother had, but excellent path she walked, once God exposed her and David’s sin, would help to understand the grace of God. Remember she lost a son before she had Solomon. I’ve often wondered if God was not about to give Bathsheba to David legitimately, had they not “jumped the gun”. Uria was a soldier after all. Rather than his orchestrated murder, perhaps he would have died in battle honorably. Then the story David made up, would have been true.
A good time to talk about how some actions are irreversible. And how many have effects that echo throughout our lives.
Verses 1-2 – 1 Thes 2:11-12, 1 Tim 6:20
Verses 3-4 – Eph 6:4, 2 Tim 3:14-15
Verses 5-7 – James 1:5, Eph 3:14-19, Luke 10:42, Philippians 3:8, Mark 8:36-37
Verses 8-10 – 1 Thes 2:13
Verses 11-13 – 1 Peter 2:7-8, Acts 2:42, John 6:68
Verses 14-17 – 1 Cor 15:33, Eph 5:11, 2 Pet 2:14
Verses 18-19 – John 8:12, Phil 2:14-16
Verses 20-23 – Matt 17:5, 12:35, Mark 14:38
Verses 24-27 – Eph 4:29, Col 3:8, James 1:26, Eph 5:15, 1 Pet 5:10, Rom 12:9
Words to clarify.
Sections/proverbs to discuss. (6-7, 13, 23)
In what way is this like the first chapter?
What new is here?
What wisdom jumped out at you?
What words or word groups were interesting?
Copyright Rick Henderson, Th.M. 2026, SouthBeachHope@gmail.com