Initially it seemed that Proverbs had little to say to the woman who sought to discern the qualities of a godly husband. I have come to see that this is not at all the case. In general, we can say that a woman should seek a man who is wise. Since we have already studied the characteristics of the wise, we will only summarize them here. These seem especially applicable to marriage:
- A wise husband is kind and compassionate (12:10).
- A wise husband is honest (29:24).
- A wise husband is hard-working (12:11; 27:23-27).
- A wise husband is truthful (12:17,19).
- A wise husband exercises self-control (12:15; 16:32).
- A wise husband has a gentle tongue (12:18; 15:1-2,4).
- A wise husband is generous (14:21; 28:27).
- A wise husband is willing to be corrected (even by his wife) and listens to counsel (12:15; 15:12,31-32; 28:13; 29:1).
- A wise husband is a man of integrity (19:1; 20:7).
- A wise husband is faithful and reliable (17:17; 29:3; contrast 25:19; 31:3).
- A wise husband is forgiving (19:11).
- A wise husband is willing to admit he is wrong (28:13).
- A wise husband is humble (15:25,33; 16:18-19; 18:12; 29:23).
- A wise husband is not contentious, but a peacemaker (17:1; 18:1,19).
- A wise husband has control of his temper (14:29; 16:32; 17:27; 29:11).
- A wise husband is a man who avoids excesses (20:1; 23:20-21, 29-35; 31:3-9).
- A wise husband has a concern for others, especially the poor and the oppressed (29:7).
- A wise husband can keep a confidence (17:9; 26:20).
- A wise husband fears God and is obedient to His Word (13:13; 14:26; 16:20; 28:25; 31:30).
- A wise husband is not a jealous man (27:4).
- A The wise husband has a positive outlook on life (15:15; 17:22; 18:14).