Outline of Proverbs by Bruce K. Waltke

Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs. Vol. 1 & 2. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 2005.
http://www.christianbook.com/the-book-of-proverbs-2-volumes/bruce-waltke/pd/82725  


COLLECTION 1   (1.1-9.18)

A. Title with Preamble (1.1-7)

B. Preamble (1.8-8.36)

1.  Lecture 1: Exhortation to Listen and to Reject the Gang's Invitation (1.8-19)

     (a) Parent's Exhortation and a Son's Adornments. (1.8-9)

     (b) Resist the Gang's Invitation (1.10-19).

2. First Interlude: Wisdom's Rebuke of the Gullible (1.20-33)

      (a) The Setting of the sermon (20-21)

      (b) Wisdom's sermon (22-27)

      (c) Wisdom's reflection on Her Sermon (28-33) 

3. Lecture 2: Safeguard against the Wicked (2)

     (a) Introduction: Conditions (2:1-4)

     (b) Consequence: Protection (2.5-11)

     (c) Purpose of Protection (2.12-19)

     (d) Life on the Earth versus Death (2.20-22)

4. Lecture 3: The Lord's Promises and the Son's Obligations (3.1-12)

     (a) Introduction: Admonitions to Preserve the Father's Teaching (1-4)

     (b) Body: A Lesson in Piety: Trust, Fear, and Honor the Lord (5-10)

     (c) Conclusion: Do Not Reject the Lord's Discipline (11-12)

5. Lecture 4: The Value of Wisdom (3.13-35)

     (a) Exordium: The Value of Wisdom (13-26)

     (b) Lesson: Covenant Obligations to Neighbors (27-35)

6. Lecture 5: Get the Family Heritage  (4.1-9)

     (a) Introduction: Addressees and Admonitions (1-2)

     (b) The Lesson: The Grandfather's Lecture (3-9)

7. Lecture 6: Stay Off the Wrong Way (4.10-19)

     (a) Introduction and Body (10-13)

     (b) Conclusion (18-19)

8. Lecture 7: Don't Swerve from the Right Way (4.20-27)

     (a) Introduction: Keeping the Interior Anatomy (20-22)

     (b) Janus: Guard the Heart, the Source of All Behavior (23)

     (c) Lesson: Keep the Exterior Anatomy Fixed on What Is Right (24-27)

9. Lecture 8: Folly of Adultery, Wisdom of Marriage (5)

     (a) Introduction (1-6)

     (b) Lesson: Adultery vs. Marriage  (7-20) 

     (c) Conclusion (21-23)

10. Appendix: Three Inferior Types of men (6:1-19)

     (a) Warning against Becoming Surety (1-5)

     (b) Warning to the Sluggard (6-11)

     (c) Warning against the Insurrectionist (12-19)

11. Lecture 9: The High Price of an Unchaste Wife (6.20-35)

     (a) Introduction (20-21)

     (b) Lesson(22-35)

12. Lecture 10: The Unchaste Wife's Seductive Tactics (7.1-27) 
    (a) Introduction: Address and Admonition to Hear the Fathers Lecture (1-5)
     (b) Lesson: The Unchaste Wife's Seductive Tactics (6-23) encounter, speech, gullible's submission
     (c) Conclusion (34-27)
13. Interlude 2: Wisdom's Self-Praise to the Gullible (8)
     (a) Introduction (8.1-10)
     (b) Body/Lesson (8.12-31) 
                -Wisdom's communicable attributes
            -Wisdom's birth and celebration from primortal time
     (c) Conclusion: Final Invitation and Warning (8.32-36).

C. (14) Epilogue: Rival Banquets of Wisdom and Folly (9.1-18)
     (a) Wisdom's Banquet (9.1-6)
                 1. Wisdom's preparation
                 2. Wisdom's invitation
     (b) The Poet's Supplement to the Invitations (9.7-12)
     (c) Folly's Banquet (9.13-18)

COLLECTION 2: Solomon I  (10-22.16)

A. Collection 2A: Antithetic Parallels of the Righteous Versus the Wicked (10-15)
1. Superscription (1a) 
2. The Wise and Fool Defined by Their Comportment in Wealth and Speech (10.1b-16)
     (a) Introductory Educational Proverb (10.1b)
     (b)  Wisdom and Wealth (10.2-5)
     (c) Effects of Speech on the Self and Others (10.6-14)
     (d) Wealth and Security (10.15-16)
3. Deeds and Destinies of the Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted (10.17-11.31)
     (a) Introduction: Social Effects of Obedience(10.17)
     (b) Speech and Expectations of the righteous and the Wicked Contrasted (10.18-32)

     (c) Security through Honesty and Righteousness (11.1-8)

     (d) Janus: Security from Destructive Speech through Knowledge (11.9)

     (e) Words in Community (11.10-15)

     (f) Benevolence and Community (11.16-22)

     (g) Desires and Paradoxical Fulfillment (11.23-27)

     (h) Certain Gain or Loss (11.28-31)
4. Two Subunits on Speech and Deeds (12:1-28)
     (a) The First Subunit (1-14)  Introduction (1-3), Speech and One's Household (4-7), Deeds and Property (8-12), Janus Conclusion: Words and Deeds (13-14)
     (b) The Second Unit (12.15-28) Introduction (15), Wise and Foolish Speech (16-23), Diligent Work and Good speech (24-27), Conclusion (28) 
5. Good Teaching, Ethics, and Living (13:1-25)
     (a) Introduction (1)
     (b)Speech and Ethics (2-6)
     (c) Wealth and Ethics (7-11)
     (d) Fulfillment through Wisdom versus Frustration through Folly (12-19)
     (e) The Blessed Future of a Wise Son versus the Baneful End of Fools (20-25).

6. Living in Wisdom (14.1-32)
     (a) Walking in Wisdom (14.1-7)
     (b) Not Walking by Sight (14.8-15)

     (c) Contrasting Social Characterizations and Consequence (14.15-32) 
7. Upholding Righteousness with a Gentle Tongue (14. 33-15.4)

8. Importance of Instruction (15.5-19)
     (a) Consequences of Accepting or Rejecting Instruction (15.5-12)
     (b) The Overcomer's Superiority to Circumstances (15.13-19)
9. Consequences of Righteousness and Wickedness (15.20-29)
     (a) Joy in Education (15.20-23)
     (b) Janus (15.24)
     (c) Destinies of Righteous and the Wicked (15.25-29)

B. Collection 2B: The Lord and His King (15.30-22.16)

1. Prologue: The Dance between Humanity, the Lord , and His King (15.30-16:15)

    (a) Introduction (15.30-33)
    (b) The Lord's Rule (16.1-9)
    (c) The Mediatorial King (16.10-15)
2. Wise and Foolish Speech (16.16-30)
    (a) Introduction: Security and Wisdom (16.16-19)
    (b) The Wise Speaker (16.20-24)
    (c) The Foolish Speakers (16.25-30)
3. The Splendid Crown of Old Age through Righteousness (16.31-7.6)
4. A Collection of Proverbs on Fools (17.7-28)
    (a) Janus: Catalogue of Fools expanded (17.7-9)
    (b) Fools and Their Punishment (17.10-15)
    (c) The Fool versus the Friend (17.16-20)
    (d) The Fool, Injustice, and the Reserved Speech of the Wise (17.21-28) 
5. The Speech of Fools versus the Speech of the Wise (18.1-21)

   (a) The Fools Antisocial Speech versus the Defense of the Wise (18.1-11)

1) The Fool’s Antisocial Nature, Speech, and destiny  (1-9)

(a.) Intro: The Fool’s Alienation from Society

(b) The Fool’s Perverse Speech  (4-8)

(c) The Fool Plunders the community  (9)

2) Defence of the Righteous in the Lord (11-12)

   (b) Janus (18.12)

   (c) The Educated Person's Behavior in Conflict and His Speech (18.13-21)

1) The Incorrigable Fool versus the Teachable Wise (13-15)

2) Teachings about Justice and Conflicts  (16-19)

3) Teachings about he Power of Speech  (20-21)

6. Wealth and Wisdom in the Court and in the Home (18.22-19.23)
    (a) Poverty, Wealth, and Companions (18.22-19.7)
                       1) Intro (22)
                       2)Wealth and Failed Companions (23-24)
                      3) Wealth and Ethics  (1-3)
                      4) Wealth and Companions in Court (4-7)              
    (b) Wisdom in the Court and in the Home (19.8-15)
    (c) Educating the Son to Show Kindness to the Needy (19.16-22)
7. The Pedagogue and Punishment of Fools (19.23-20.11)
    (a) Introduction (19.23)
    (b) A Catalogue of Fo0ls and Their Punishment (19.24-20.1)
    (c) The Righteous King and Fools (20.2-11)
8. Speech and Commerce (20.12-19)
    (a) Introduction and Janus (20.12-13)
    (b) Body: Imprudent Speech in the Marketplace (20.14-17)
    (C) Conclusion: Accepting Wise Counsel (20.18-19)
9. Trusting the Lord to Avenge Wrongs through His Wise King (20.20-28)
    (a) Introduction: Honoring Parents (20.20-21)
    (b) Body: Trusting God, Not Self, to Avenge Wrong (20.22-25)
    (c) Conclusion: The King Judges the Wicked and Protects the Needy (20.26-28)
10. Doing Right and Justice (20.29-21.31)
    (a) Twofold Introduction (20.29-21.2)
    (b) Body: On Doing Righteousness and Justice (21.3-29)
    (c) Conclusion: The Lord's Sovereignty over People and Kingdoms (21.30-31)
11. Wealth and Moral Instruction (22.1-16)
    (a) The Lord's Sovereignty and Wealth (22.1-9)
    (b) Wealth and Moral Instruction (22.10-16)

COLLECTION 3: The Thirty Sayings of the Wise (22.17-24)

A. Prologue: Saying 1 (22.17-21)
B. Section A: A Decalogue of sayings about Wealth (22.22-23.11) [2-11]
# 2/22-23  Do not rob the poor.
# 3/24-25  No friendship with an angry man.
# 4/26-27  Avoid surety.
# 5/28        Don't move landmarks.
# 6/29        Men who excel stand before kings.
# 7/23.1-3  Avoid overeating with a ruler.
# 8/4-5       Don't overwork to be rich.
# 9/6-8       Don't a miser's offer of delicacies.
# 10/9         Fools will despise your wisdom.
# 11/10-11   Don't cheat the poor of their land.

C. Section B: An Obedient Son (23.22-24.2) [12-20]
# 12/12           Apply your heart to instruction.
# 13/13-14     Correct you child.
# 14/15-16     Wise sons make father's rejoice.
# 15/17-18     Don't envy sinners.
# 16/19-21     Do not mix with drunks or gluttons.
# 17/22-25    Listen to dad..
# 18/26-28    A seductress is trouble.
# 19/29-35    Don't drink too much.
# 20/24:1-2  Evil men are trouble.

D. Section C: Strength in Distress (24.3-12) [21-25]
#  21/3-4       Wisdom builds your house.
# 22/5-6        There is safety in counselors.
# 23/7            Wisdom is beyond a fool.
#  243/8-9    Scoffers are an abomination.
#25/10-12     Be strong in adversity.
E. Section D: Prohibitions against Involvement with the Wicked (24.13-22) [26-30]
#  26/13-14    Wisdom is like honey to your soul.
# 27/15-16     The righteous will rise again.
# 28/17-18    Don't rejoice when you enemy falls.
#  29/19-20  There is no future for the wicked.
#30/21-22     Don't associate with those given to change.

COLLECTION 4: Further Sayings of the Wise  (24.23-34)

A. Superscription (24.23a)

B. Judging at Court (24.23b-25)

C. Correct Speaking (24.26)

D. Positive behavior in Work (24.27)

E. Wrong Speaking (24.27)

F. Negative Behavior in Work (24.30-34)

COLLECTION 5: Solomon II  (25-29)

A. Superscription (25.1)
B. Section C (25.2-27.27)
    1. The Court Hierarchy and the Conflict of the Righteous and the Wicked (25.2-27).
    2. Seven Perverted Types of Humanity (25.28-26.28)
          Janus: The Person Who Lacks Self-control (25.28)

          The Fool (26.1-12)

          The Sluggard (26.13-16)

          The Busybody and Mischief Maker (26.17-19)

          The Slanderer (26.20-22)

          The Hateful Enemy (26.23-28)

    3. About Friends and Friendship (27.1-22)
          First Instructions of Friends and Friendships (27.1-10)
          Second Instructions of Friends and Friendships (27.11-21)
          Janus (27.22).

C. Section D (28.1-29-27)
    1. A Relationship to tora as a Measure for Ruling and Gaining Wealth (28.1-11).
          a. Introductory Framing Proverb (28.1)
          b. First Subunit: tôrâ and Righteous Government (28.2, 3, 4-5, 6)
          c. Second Subunit: tôrâ and Righteous Government  (28.7-11)
    2. The Importance of One's Relationship with God for ruling and Gaining Wealth (28.12-27)
          a. Introductory Framing Proverb (28.12)
          b. The Lord and the Ruler (28.13-14, 15-16, 17-18)
          c. Wealth and Hard Word versus Haste (28:19-20, -27)
          d.
          e. Concluding Framing Proverb (28.28)
    3. Center Line: Sudden Death for the Hard-hearted (29.1)
    4. Rearing and Ruling Proved Worthwhile in Dealing with the Poor (29.2-15)
          a. Introductory Proverb (29.2)
          b. Joy and Stability through Righteousness (19.3, 4,
    5. Rearing and One's Relationship with God (29.16-27)

COLLECTION 6: The Sayings of Agur Son of Jakeh (30)

A. Introduction (30.1-9)

    1. Superscription (30.1a)

    2. Agur's Autobiographical Confession (30.1b-9)

B. Main Body: Seven Numerical Sayings (30.10-31)

    1. First Unit: Renouncing Greed (30.10-16)

    2. Second Unit: The Wisdom of Living within Boundaries (30.17-31)

C. Conclusion: A Warning not to Upset the Divine Order (30.32-33).

COLLECTION 7: The Sayings of Lemuel  (31)
A. Superscription (31.1)
B. The Noble King (31.2-9)
C. The Valiant Wife (31.10-31)
    1. Introduction (31.10-12)
    2. Body (31.13-27)
    3. Conclusion (31.28-31)
Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs. Vol. 1 & 2. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 2005.
http://www.christianbook.com/the-book-of-proverbs-2-volumes/bruce-waltke/pd/82725 

The Obituary of Mrs. Prayer Meeting

'Mrs. Prayer Meeting died recently at the First Neglected Church on Worldly Avenue. Born many years ago in the midst of great revivals, she was a strong, healthy child, fed largely on testimony and spiritual holiness, soon growing into world-wide prominence. She was one of the most influential members of the famous Church family. But for the past several years, Sister Prayer Meeting has been failing in health, gradually wasting away until rendered helpless by stiffness of knees, until her death was caused through lukewarmness and coldness of heart. Lack of spiritual food, coupled with the lack of faith, shameless desertion of her friends and non-support, were contributing causes of her death. Only a few were present at her funeral, sobbing over memories of her past beauty and power. Carefully selected pallbearers were asked to bear the remains tenderly away, but failed to appear. Her body rests in a beautiful cemetery of bygone memories and glories, awaiting the summer from above'.

I'd seen this in a tract some time ago and saw it again in a sermon was delivered at The Iron Hall Assembly in Belfast, Northern Ireland, by Pastor David Legge on www.preachtheword.com

A couple thought provoking quotes by Leonard Ravenhill:

• "Let the fires go out in the boiler room of the church and the place will still look smart and clean, but it will be cold. The Prayer Room is the boiler room for its spiritual life."
• "If weak in prayer we are weak everywhere."