Wisdom- bible study  to show that wisdom  is such an important thing for believers to seek after, for growth and maturity.

Here is the start of Solomon’s wisdom- Solomon had the Lord appear to him by a dream at night asking what he wanted and this exchange happened:

(1 Kings 3:5)  At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you."

(1 Kings 3:6)  And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.

(1 Kings 3:7)  And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.

(1 Kings 3:8)  And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.

(1 Kings 3:9)  Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"

(1 Kings 3:10)  It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.

(1 Kings 3:11)  And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,

(1 Kings 3:12)  behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

(1 Kings 3:13)  I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.

(1 Kings 3:14)  And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."

Here is the further result of the exchange, in which Solomon sought wisdom, and not wealth or riches as he may very well have done. It also is an encouragement to use believers that God really wants to give us wisdom when we ask also in faith, also:

(1 Kings 4:29)  And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore,

(1 Kings 4:30)  so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.

(1 Kings 4:31)  For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations.

(1 Kings 4:32)  He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.

(1 Kings 4:33)  He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish.

(1 Kings 4:34)  And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.

With that I will start a tour of some of the longer scriptures in the book of Proverbs dealing with wisdom, especially in the earlier chapters. The first seven verses of proverbs 1 suggest that sharing wisdom is a big purpose of the whole proverbs

(Proverbs  1:1)  The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

(Proverbs 1:2)  To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,

(Proverbs 1:3)  to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

(Proverbs 1:4)  to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth--

(Proverbs 1:5)  Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

(Proverbs 1:6)  to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.

(Proverbs 1:7)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

And the end of it wisdom suggests turning from evil ways, repentance, and also states the consequences for not doing so:

(Proverbs 1:20)  Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;

(Pro 1:21)  at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

(Proverbs 1:22)  "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

(Proverbs 1:23)  If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

(Proverbs 1:24)  Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

(Proverbs 1:25)  because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,

(Proverbs 1:26)  I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,

(Proverbs 1:27)  when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.

(Proverbs 1:28)  Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

(Proverbs 1:29)  Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

(Proverbs 1:30)  would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,

(Proverbs 1:31)  therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.

(Proverbs 1:32)  For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;

(Proverbs 1:33)  but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."

The whole of proverbs chapter 2 speaks of wisdom and its benefits for good and keeping oneself from evil:

(Proverbs 2:1)  My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,

(Proverbs 2:2)  making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;

(Proverbs 2:3)  yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

(Proverbs 2:4)  if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

(Proverbs 2:5)  then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

(Proverbs 2:6)  For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

(Proverbs 2:7)  he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

(Proverbs 2:8)  guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.

(Proverbs 2:9)  Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;

(Proverbs 2:10)  for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

(Proverbs 2:11)  discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,

(Proverbs 2:12)  delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech,

(Proverbs 2:13)  who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,

(Proverbs 2:14)  who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil,

(Proverbs 2:15)  men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.

(Proverbs 2:16)  So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words,

(Proverbs 2:17)  who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God;

(Proverbs 2:18)  for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed;

(Proverbs 2:19)  none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life.

(Proverbs 2:20)  So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.

(Proverbs 2:21)  For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it,

(Proverbs 2:22)  but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

Chapter 3 of proverbs goes on to name many of the benefits of seeking and getting wisdom as well:

(Proverbs 3:13)  Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

(Proverbs 3:14)  for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

(Proverbs 3:15)  She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

(Proverbs 3:16)  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

(Proverbs 3:17)  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

(Proverbs 3:18)  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

(Proverbs 3:19)  The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

(Proverbs 3:20)  by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

(Proverbs 3:21)  My son, do not lose sight of these-- keep sound wisdom and discretion,

(Proverbs 3:22)  and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

(Proverbs 3:23)  Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

(Proverbs 3:24)  If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Chapter 4 in proverbs also speaks very strongly of the value of wisdom and its benefits

(Proverbs 4:5)  Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

(Proverbs 4:6)  Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.

(Proverbs 4:7)  The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

(Proverbs 4:8)  Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.

(Proverbs 4:9)  She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown."

(Proverbs 4:10)  Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.

(Proverbs 4:11)  I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

(Proverbs 4:12)  When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.

(Proverbs 4:13)  Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.

Proverbs chapter 5 speaks of how wisdom can protect you from an evil woman and all the evil consequences that come when you fall for her charms:

(Proverbs 5:1)  My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding,

(Proverbs 5:2)  that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.

(Proverbs 5:3)  For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,

(Pro 5:4)  but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

(Proverbs 5:5)  Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol;

(Pro 5:6)  she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.

(Proverbs 5:7)  And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.

(Proverbs 5:8)  Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,

(Proverbs 5:9)  lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless,

(Proverbs 5:10)  lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner,

(Proverbs 5:11)  and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed,

(Proverbs 5:12)  and you say, "How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!

(Proverbs 5:13)  I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors.

(Proverbs 5:14)  I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation."

In many ways chapter 8 of proverbs is the wisdom chapter in proverbs in which it is described, all the benefits are given and more.

(Proverbs 8:1)  Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?

(Proverbs 8:2)  On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;

(Proverbs 8:3)  beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

(Proverbs 8:4)  "To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.

(Proverbs 8:5)  O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.

(Proverbs 8:6)  Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,

(Proverbs 8:7)  for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

(Proverbs 8:8)  All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

(Proverbs 8:9)  They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

(Proverbs 8:10)  Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,

(Proverbs 8:11)  for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

(Proverbs 8:12)  "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

(Proverbs 8:13)  The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

(Proverbs 8:14)  I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.

(Proverbs 8:15)  By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;

(Proverbs 8:16)  by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.

(Proverbs 8:17)  I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

(Proverbs 8:18)  Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.

(Proverbs 8:19)  My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.

(Proverbs 8:20)  I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,

(Pro 8:21)  granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.

(Proverbs 8:22)  "The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.

(Proverbs 8:23)  Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

(Proverbs 8:24)  When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.

(Proverbs 8:25)  Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,

(Proverbs 8:26)  before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.

(Proverbs 8:27)  When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,

(Proverbs 8:28)  when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,

(Proverbs 8:29)  when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

(Proverbs 8:30)  then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,

(Proverbs 8:31)  rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.

(Proverbs 8:32)  "And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.

(Proverbs 8:33)  Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.

(Proverbs 8:34)  Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

(Proverbs 8:35)  For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD,

(Proverbs 8:36)  but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."

Here is more on wisdom and a wise woman in proverbs chapter 9

(Proverbs 9:1)  Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.

(Proverbs 9:2)  She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

(Proverbs 9:3)  She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town,

(Proverbs 9:4)  "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says,

(Proverbs 9:5)  "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.

(Proverbs 9:6)  Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."

(Proverbs 9:7)  Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

(Proverbs 9:8)  Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

(Proverbs 9:9)  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

(Proverbs 9:10)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

(Proverbs 9:11)  For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.

(Proverbs 9:12)  If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Chapter 22 of proverbs once again encourages all to seek wisdom to help you know what is right and to give good answer.

(Proverbs 22:17)  Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,

(Proverbs 22:18)  for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

(Proverbs 22:19)  That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today, even to you.

(Proverbs 22:20)  Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge,

(Proverbs 22:21)  to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

Solomon in this proverb suggests all to get wisdom

(Proverbs 23:23)  Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Still more on wisdom in chapter 24

(Proverbs 24:3)  By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;

(Proverbs 24:4)  by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

(Proverbs 24:5)  A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,

(Proverbs 24:6)  for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

(Proverbs 24:7)  Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.

(Proverbs 24:13)  My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

(Proverbs 24:14)  Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Here Paul prays for the Ephesians for wisdom

(Ephesians 1:16)  I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

(Ephesians 1:17)  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

(Ephesians 1:18)  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

(Ephesians 1:19)  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

Also in the book of Colossians Paul does the same thing

(Colossians 1:9)  And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

(Colossians 1:10)  so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

(Colossians 1:11)  May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

(Colossians 1:12)  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

The verses in Colossians 2 say that all wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ

(Colossians 2:1)  For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,

(Colossians 2:2)  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,

(Colossians 2:3)  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

(Colossians 2:4)  I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

This verse tells us to let the word of Christ to let all wisdom indwell in us

(Colossians 3:16)  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

James says we are to seek the wisdom from above and not the earthly wisdom

(James 3:13)  Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

(James 3:14)  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

(James 3:15)  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

(James 3:16)  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

(James 3:17)  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

(James 3:18)  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

We are always to walk in wisdom as it speaks in Colossians

(Colossians 4:5)  Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

(Colossians 4:6)  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

And James encourages all to seek the wisdom we ought to walk in, but ask in faith without doubting:

(James 1:5)  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

(James 1:6)  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

(James 1:7)  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

(James 1:8)  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Here is a prayer that which you can pray with me to ask for and receive this wisdom from God, but remember what James says above and ask in faith without any doubt:

Lord, I pray You  would give me Your wisdom and understanding in all things. I know wisdom is better than gold and understanding better than silver (Proverbs 16:16), so make me rich in wisdom and wealthy in understanding. Thank You that You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding (Daniel 2:21). Increase my wisdom and knowledge so I can see Your truth in every situation. Give me discernment for each decision I must make. Please help me to always seek godly counsel and not look to the world and ungodly people for answers. Thank You, Lord, that You will give me the counsel and instruction I need, even as I sleep. In Jesus Name I pray Amen

The Lord is always seeking to know you and loves you so much. If you want to reach out to Him, accepting Him for the first time, or to return to Him if you have fallen away, please do pray this prayer with me:

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself.Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

God bless you and yours.