The Women of Proverbs – The Seductress, The Nag, and the Wife of His Youth

What are the characteristics of the Adulteress? (Proverbs 2:16-19; Proverbs 5:3-14; Proverbs 6:20-35; Proverbs 7:1-27; Proverbs 23:27-28; Proverbs 30:20)

She has forsaken her husband and her God. Her speech and ways are pleasing but she is really bitter and cutting. This adulteress leads men astray, to a place where he can never return. She is often beautiful and appealing to the eye. She is loud, and not where she is supposed to be (in her own house). She easily seduces a man. She approaches him with a kiss, and has prepared for their encounter. She is unfaithful to him. Following after her results in destruction of reputation, loss of wealth, and eventually to death. Solomon says that it would be better to get with a prostitute than to get with another man’s wife. The fact that there are six passages here again underscores the difference between adultery and other sexual sins.

Who is the appropriate person to give what the Adulteress offers? To whom should it be given? (Proverbs 5:15-20)

The man’s own wife is where he should find joy. He should find joy in her physically. He should find joy in her speech. She should be a person in whom he finds love—an intoxicating amount—and physical pleasure—flowing as water from a well. Both husband and wife should be enjoying being together and find fulfillment in each other. The charge to the man is to not be foolish and follow after the adulteress. The charge of the woman is to see what the adulteress offers, and be aware of what entices her husband.

What does Solomon place emphasis on when it comes to men and women? (Proverbs 11:16; Proverbs 11:23, 29)

A gracious woman gets honor, the violent man gets riches. Discretion is better than beauty. He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind.

Contrast the different wives found in Proverbs. (Proverbs 12:4; 14:1; Proverbs 18:22; Proverbs 19:13-14; Proverbs 21:9,19; Proverbs 25:24; Proverbs 27:15-16; Proverbs 30:21-23)

The husband, as it is she who is his crown or brings shame and rottenness. A wise woman builds her house, not tears it down. He who finds a wife finds a good thing. A prudent wife is from the Lord. A wife’s quarreling is like dripping rain. Better to live in the corner of the house, the corner of a housetop, or a desert, then with a quarrelsome wife. It is impossible to restrain a quarrelsome wife. A woman that gets a husband and a maidservant that displaces her mistress make the earth tremble.

Do Men Always Lead Right? (Proverbs 16)

The man may purpose to do this or that, but the measure of his heart before the Lord will determine what happens. It’s often the case that what seems right to a man may yet be death.