Importance of Counsel in the Book of Proverbs

The Book of Proverbs, largely attributed to Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, frequently emphasizes the critical role of counsel in various aspects of life ^[4]. This wisdom literature presents counsel not merely as advice, but as a fundamental element for success, stability, and spiritual well-being. The Hebrew term mashal, from which the book derives its title, originally meant "a comparison" and can be translated as "parable" or "proverb" ^[4]. Within this framework, counsel is depicted as a deep, often hidden, resource that requires understanding to extract and apply effectively ^[1].

Proverbs 20:5 states, "Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out" ^[1]. This verse suggests that valuable counsel, though not always immediately apparent, resides within individuals and can be accessed by those with discernment ^[7]. The ability to draw out this "deep water" of counsel implies a capacity for introspection, wisdom, and perhaps the skill to elicit it from others. The concept of counsel extends beyond mere human advice, however. Proverbs 8:14 declares, "Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength" ^[2]. John Gill interprets this verse as spoken by divine Wisdom, identifying it with a divine Person, specifically Christ, on whom rests the "Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel, and of might" ^[6]. This highlights a theological dimension to counsel, suggesting that ultimate wisdom and guidance originate from God.

The importance of counsel is particularly evident in matters of governance and leadership. Proverbs 11:14 asserts, "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." This proverb underscores the necessity of seeking diverse perspectives and advice for the well-being of a community or nation ^[8]. Matthew Henry elaborates on this, noting that a lack of consultation leads to rash decisions and a kingdom's ruin, as people "crumble into factions" and become "an easy prey to their common enemies" ^[10]. Conversely, a "multitude of counsellors" provides a safeguard, implying that collective wisdom and mutual advice are crucial for effective leadership and stability ^[10]. The term "counsellor" in this context refers to an adviser, and historically, it could even denote a king's state counsellor ^[3].

In personal decision-making, counsel is presented as a safeguard against failure and disappointment. Proverbs 15:22 states, "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established." This verse warns against acting impulsively or without seeking guidance. Matthew Henry explains that those who are "precipitate and rash" and act "without advice" will find their plans "disappointed" ^[12]. Such individuals, who are either unwilling to deliberate or too confident in their own judgment to consult others, are unlikely to achieve significant outcomes ^[12]. The implication is that seeking counsel helps to foresee and overcome potential obstacles, leading to the successful establishment of one's purposes ^[12].

The Book of Proverbs also connects counsel with the broader pursuit of wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 19:20 advises, "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end." John Gill interprets this as an exhortation to listen to the counsel and instruction of parents, masters, ministers, and especially "the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor" ^[9]. The ultimate goal of receiving such counsel is to attain wisdom that prepares one for "a future state" and the "good of his soul in another world" ^[9]. This demonstrates that counsel in Proverbs is not solely about practical success but also about spiritual maturity and eternal well-being.

The application of counsel extends to strategic planning, even in warfare. Proverbs 24:6 (KJV) states, "For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety." John Gill comments that both counsel and strength are essential for war ^[5]. Kings and states are advised to consider not only the justice of their cause but also their resources and the wisest methods for engaging the enemy ^[5]. Crucially, Gill adds that "above all, should ask counsel of God" ^[5]. This principle is also applied to the "spiritual warfare with sin, Satan, the world, and false teachers," which similarly requires strength and wise counsel ^[5].

Beyond formal advice, the concept of counsel in Proverbs also encompasses the broader idea of wise living and helpfulness within a community. A wise person is characterized as a "kind and helpful neighbor" ^[11]. While not explicitly using the word "counsel," this emphasis on community and mutual support aligns with the spirit of seeking and offering guidance for the common good, particularly in helping the financially needy ^[11].

Sources

Proverbs “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. -- Proverbs 20:5”
King James Version “[KJV] Proverbs 8:14 — Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Counsellor — An adviser (Prov. 11:14; 15:22), a king's state counsellor (2 Sam. 15:12). Used once of the Messiah (Isa. 9:6). In Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50, the word probably means a member of the Jewish Sanhedrim.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Proverbs, Book Of — The title of this book in Hebrew is taken from its first word, mashal, which originally meant "a comparison." It is sometimes translated parable, sometimes proverb as here. The superscriptions which are affixed to several portions of the book, in chs. (Proverbs 1:1; 10:1; 25:1) attribute the authorship of those portions to Solomon the son of David, king of Israel. With the exception of the last two chapters, which are distinctly assigned to other author it is probable that the statement of the superscriptions is in the main correct, and that the ma”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 24:5: For by wise counsel thou shall make thy war,.... Counsel, as well as strength, is necessary for war: kings and states, before they enter on a war, should not only well consider the justness of their cause, but should consult whether they have a sufficiency of men and money to carry it on; and should concert the wisest methods to attack the enemy, or defend themselves; and, above all, should ask counsel of God; see Kg2 18:20. And this is true of our spiritual warfare with sin, Satan, the world, and false teachers; which requires not only strength to wage war with the”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:14: Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom,.... The words and sentiments in this and the following clause are the same with those in Job 12:13; and scent to be taken from thence, which are spoken of God; and being here applied to Wisdom, show that a divine Person is meant; and are very applicable to him who the Wisdom of God, and the power of God; and on whom rests the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel, and of might, and of the fear of the Lord, Co1 1:24. "Counsel" belongs to him, and is used and exercised by him, as concerned with the Father and Spirit, both in”
Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 20:5: Counsel . . . water--that is, deeply hidden (Pro 18:4; Psa 13:2). The wise can discern well.”
Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 11:14: counsel--the art of governing (Pro 1:5). counsellors--literally, "one giving counsel"; the participle used as a collective.”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:20: Hear counsel, and receive instruction,.... Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end; in the latter end of life, at death; that then it may appear a man has been so wise as to be concerned for a future state, for the good of his soul in another world; by listening to the counsel and instruction of Christ, in his word; by lookin”
Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 11:14: Here is, 1. The bad omen of a kingdom's ruin: Where no counsel is, no consultation at all, but every thing done rashly, or no prudent consultation for the common good, but only caballing for parties and divided interests, the people fall, crumble into factions, fall to pieces, fall together by the ears, and fall an easy prey to their common enemies. Councils of war are necessary to the operations of war; two eyes see more than one; and mutual advice is in order to mutual assistance. 2. The good presage of a kingdom's prosperity: In the multitude of counsellors,”
Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 3:27: 3:27-28 A wise person is a kind and helpful neighbor. Proverbs strongly emphasizes helping the financially needy (11:24; 28:27; 29:7, 14).”
Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 15:22: See here, 1. Of what ill consequence it is to be precipitate and rash, and to act without advice: Men's purposes are disappointed, their measures broken, and they come short of their point, gain not their end, because they would not ask counsel about the way. If men will not take time and pains to deliberate with themselves, or are so confident of their own judgment that they scorn to consult with others, they are not likely to bring any thing considerable to pass; circumstances defeat them which, with a little consultation, might have been foreseen and obviate”

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