The relationships between ethics and sanctions in Proverbs 1-7. Most of the Proverbs were written by King David’s son Solomon. The first nine books of Proverbs are focused on wisdom. Solomon is trying to keep his son with wise people and away from fools and wicked people. Solomon wants to keep his son away from evil. In the proverbs Solomon describes wisdom as a woman. Proverbs 4:10-15 says
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
The woman in these verses is wisdom. There is also another woman in Proverbs, and that is fools. Proverbs 2:12-19 says
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Solomon wanted to keep his son from getting caught up with the things of this world, but to focus on wisdom and God. Solomon was known for his wisdom and his goal was to teach his son wisdom. In Proverbs 6:6-8 Solomon tells his son to act like an ant.6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. The relationship between ethics and sanctions in Proverbs is very powerful. And not just Solomon and his son should be wise, but that everyone should be wise.