ABSTRACT
It is understandable that in a symposium on the theme "The Reigns of David and Solomon" there should be a paper on the wisdom literature, just as there are papers on other aspects of literary activity in Israel during that period. Many Old Testament books—especially the Psalms and other lyrical works, and the wisdom books—are almost entirely silent about datable historical events or specific historical situations. With regard to wisdom literature, the recent collection and recording of proverbial literature from preliterary Africa, Madagascar, and other areas has provided an opportunity to make comparisons between this and the proverbial literature of the ancient Near East, including that of Israel. The results of some of this work on African and other proverbs have been conveniently summarized, for the benefit of Old Testament scholars.
