Preface: Proverbs 4 continues the divinely inspired advice given from father to son, to pursue God’s wisdom with great enthusiasm, to walk as he had been instructed and not to follow the paths of the wicked, and to keep these words in his heart, in order to lead a long and abundant life.

This should be the most extensive examination of Proverbs 4 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Quotations:

 

God speaking to Joshua: This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8; ESV; capitalized)

 

Proverbs 4:7 (graphic) from Pinimg.com; accessed March 8, 2015.

 

1Kings 2:1–4 When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, "I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, His commandments, His rules, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the LORD may establish His word that He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before Me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.' ” (ESV; capitalized)

 

The Easy English Bible: This poem is not just about Solomon's family. It is about all families. It tells us that a father should teach his son. When he grows older, the son should teach his own children.

 

Gill: In this chapter Solomon advises to seek after wisdom, to avoid bad company, and to continue in the right paths of goodness and truth.

 

J. Vernon McGee: It was Pascal who said that human knowledge must be understood to be loved. But divine knowledge must be loved to be understood.

 

Prov. 4:13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.

 

Judith Martin (Miss Manners): Heaven knows that Miss Manners is not against the disciplining of children. We are all born charming, frank, and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.

 

Robert Dean: Does it take a village to raise a child? This misguided notion insists that training children must be a joint effort of schools, families, and government organizations. Proverbs 4 places the teaching of good judgment and clear thinking solely on the shoulders of parents.

 

Maclaren on the path: The old metaphor likening life to a path has many felicities in it. It suggests constant change, it suggests continuous progress in one direction, and that all our days are linked together, and are not isolated fragments; and it suggests an aim and an end.

 

Prov. 4:9 She [wisdom] will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown."

 

Proverbs 4:25–26 (graphic) from jamesdoc.com; accessed March 8, 2015.

Let your eyes look straight ahead

Fix your gaze directly before you

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet

and be steadfast in all your ways.

Outline of Chapter 4:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–9           Discourse 8: Wisdom’s Many Benefits

         vv.    10–19         Discourse 9: Avoid the Path of the Wicked

         vv.    20–27         Discourse 10: The Guidance of Bible Doctrine

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Preface               Proverbs 4:7 (graphic)

         Preface               Proverbs 4:25–26 (graphic)

         Introduction         Robert Dean’s Excellent Introduction to Proverbs 4

         Introduction         The Principals of Proverbs 4

         Introduction         The Prequel of Proverbs 4

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Proverbs 4

         Introduction         Proverbs 4 Section Headings

         Introduction         Comparing, contrasting and synching up these 3 sections (Rickard)

         Introduction         Matthew Henry’s Alternate Outline

         Introduction         The New American Bible Summarizes Proverbs 4

         v.       1              The Structure of Proverbs 4:1–9

         v.       1              The Speaker Addresses Sons in Proverbs

         v.       1              Parental Duty, from the Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary

         v.       1              Filial Duty, from the Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary

         v.       1              The Evidence Bible on Training our Children

         v.       4              A Few Points on the Heart from Stuart Wolfe

         v.       4              Wisdom—the Family Heirloom (from the Pulpit Commentary)

         v.       7              Proverbs 4:7 (graphic #2)

         v.       7              Acquire Wisdom

         v.       7              The Cost of Neglect, by Mart DeHann

         v.       8              Proverbs 4:6–9

         v.       9              Francis Taylor: Crowns were given to...

         v.       9              The Doctrine of Crowns

         v.      10              The New American Bible on Proverbs 4:10–19 and 4:10–27

         v.      10              The Scriptural Promise of Long Life

         v.      11              Proverbs 4:11–12 NIRV (graphic)

         v.      11              Proverbs 4:11 (graphic)

         v.      12              James Rickard’s Doctrine of Walking

         v.      12              James Rickard’s Doctrine of Running

         v.      12              Proverbs 4:10–12 (graphic)

         v.      13              Proverbs 4:10–13 and Operation Z

         v.      14              Al Gore’s Ocean Mansion (photo)

         v.      15              Contrasting the Paths, from Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary

         v.      17              Rickard contrasts the true and false communions

         v.      17              You are what you eat and drink

         v.      17              The Doctrine of Crime and Punishment

         v.      17              Criminals in Scripture (from the Dictionary of Bible Themes)

         v.      18              Proverbs 4:18 KJV (graphic)

         v.      18              God and Light (The Abbreviated Doctrine of Light)

         v.      18              Sanctification, Light and the Believer

         v.      18              The Spiritual Life in the Age of Israel

         v.      19              The Way of the Malevolent is like the Walking Dead

         v.      19              Wenstrom’s Doctrine of Darkness

         v.      19              What do unbelievers stumble over?

         v.      19              Rickard’s 3 Categories of Darkness for Unbelievers

         v.      19              Proverbs 4:18–19 (graphic)

         v.      19              Proverbs 4:10–19 Explained

         v.      20              Peter Pett’s Chiastic Organization of Proverbs 4:20–27

         v.      20              Somatic Therapy For Wise Living, by Mark A. Copeland

         v.      20              Proverbs 4:20–22 NLT (graphic)

         v.      21              About the Heart

         v.      21              Healthcare for the Heart, by Mart DeHann and Precept Austin

         v.      23              Pastor Greg Allen Introduces Proverbs 4:23

         v.      23              Proverbs 4:23 ERV (graphic)

         v.      23              Proverbs 4:23 (unknown translator)

         v.      23              Proverbs 4:23 NIV (graphic)

         v.      23              A Summary of the Doctrine of Tôwtsâʾôwth

         v.      23              Proverbs 4:23 NLB (graphic)

         v.      23              Interpreting Proverbs 4:23

         v.      23              Keeping the Heart, from Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary

         v.      23              The heart that God wants; the heart that God rejects

         v.      24              Sins of the Tongue (from Bible Doctrine Resource)

         v.      24              James Rickard on the Application of Proverbs 4:24

         v.      24              Greg Allen on Guarding the Heart

         v.      25              Proverbs 4:25 NLT (graphic)

         v.      26              The Path of the Believer

         v.      26              The Doctrine of Walking (from Bible Doctrine Resource)

         v.      26              Rickard Summarizes Proverbs 4:24–26

         v.      26              James Rickard’s Doctrine of Sin

         v.      27              Proverbs 4:25–26 ISV (graphic)

         v.      27              Proverbs 4:26–27 NLT (graphic)

         v.      27              Noting the Differences between Vv. 25–27 in Proverbs 4

         v.      27              Keeping to the straight path (the power of habit), from Precept Austin

         Addendum          Solomon’s Failure to Heed his own Warnings (1Kings 11:1–11)

         Addendum          Why Proverbs 4 is in the Word of God

         Addendum          What We Learn from Proverbs 4

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Proverbs 4

         Addendum          Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Proverbs 4

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Proverbs 4

——————————

An Introduction to Proverbs 4

I ntroduction: Proverbs 4, like chapter 3, can be broken down into 3 parts: (1) the importance of getting wisdom and the benefits of having wisdom; (2) a contrast between the path of wisdom and the path of wickedness (which is emphasized); and (3) the importance of the words of the speaker/writer of Proverbs.

Each of these 3 sections begins with my son or my sons; and calls for the hearer (reader) to get wisdom or to accept my words or to be attentive to my words. In each case, there is an associated promise/result: wisdom will keep and guard you; the years of your life will be many; and these words...will be healing to all your flesh.

Prov. 4 beings with the writer addressing his sons, which will be done 4 more times in the book of Proverbs , this approach being slightly different from the others. I understand this to refer to Solomon himself speaking to his sons; and the reasons will be explained in that context when we come to it.

James H. Rickard: Chapter Four, like chapter three, has three sermons / messages from the father to his son, vs. 1-9; 10-19 and 20-27, having the familiar phrase "O sons" or "my son." Therefore, these constitute the 8th, 9th, and 10th sermons in Chapters 1-9.

We will continue to assume that the other two sections are things that David said to Solomon, and Solomon learned and then recorded for himself and for his own children. When Solomon took these notes, rest assured that he was not thinking about having 1000 wives and mistresses.

There is one more matter of interest—God is not spoken of directly in this chapter. He is not named; His title is not given. As we know from Prov. 1:7 9:10, the beginning of wisdom is the fear/respect of Y^ehowah. So, the very foundation of wisdom is an occupation with Christ (known as fear/respect of Y^ehowah in this era). Because of that, and because of the authorship of Proverbs, we understand that faith in the Revealed God and an occupation with His Person is the foundation for any study of wisdom.

As an aside, there all the laws of divine establishment, which are from God, but designed for all mankind. It is these laws which preserve and prosper a people. Understanding these laws and adhering to them does not require faith in God. However, a society which rejects the Lord of Glory often rejects these laws as well.

Application: I write this in 2015, and I have never seen so many members of a generation of Americans so desirous to live under a dictatorship. Large numbers of people seem to love it when President Obama does something extra-constitutionally; and it never occurs to them that this is wrong or a problem or that there are consequences which go along with his actions.

Application: This same generation sees bringing gays into the mainstream of society as a civil rights issue; and that gay marriage is some great good that our society needs to legalize. Along with this, many young people want to see marijuana legalized. All of these choices have consequences; a society never benefits by portraying as good that which is sinful. Some try to sell the idea that, the legalization of marijuana will result in a great amount of money coming into the state government—and that is supposed to draw in conservatives. The government cannot make money off of sin. The government cannot tax sin enough to make it worthwhile. For every dollar of income, there might be $2 of increased costs to the state (I have no idea exactly how much; I only know the principle here).

Application: If the Bible is clear that homosexual acts and taking drugs to alter one’s consciousness is wrong, then how do you think a society will prosper by encouraging these things? It does not matter what sort of a scheme is put in place to use these sins to bring in money to the government—it won’t work. Nevada should be the richest state in the nation because it makes all kinds of money on taxing sin. However, in the recession, Nevada was one of the states that was hardest hit.

The Voice introduces this chapter: It's perfectly natural to envy those who are successful. It's even natural to want to imitate them. But what about those who've gotten ahead by doing the wrong thing? Sometimes it seems crime does pay, the good do die young, and the wicked do have more fun. But it only appears this way; it is not reality. In reality the success of wrongdoers is short-lived. God is against them, and their house is built on the sand. Even if it seems to be a grand house, it will soon come crashing down.

The Easy English Bible is written with an abbreviated vocabulary. Nevertheless, some of its commentary, though stated simply, as accurate and apt: This poem is not just about Solomon's family. It is about all families. It tells us that a father should teach his son. When he grows older, the son should teach his own children. Solomon's family was Israel's royal family. In the poem, the father does not teach about being a king. He does not speak about wealth and money. He does not explain how to lead the nation. For this father, only one thing matters. His son must learn wisdom. We can teach our children about many things. We must not forget to teach them wisdom. This is the most important lesson of all.

Robert Dean: [This chapter is] the fifth lesson [of ten] on the importance of following the path of wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

I ended up with a lot more quotations and doctrines developed by others in this chapter. So many people did excellent work on the topics covered in Prov. 4, that I wanted to include their work. References are provided so that you may explore their works in greater detail.

——————————

Discourse 8: Wisdom's Many Benefits

In this 8^th discourse, we see again the importance of Bible doctrine, a great theme of Proverbs.

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       Note: I compare the Hebrew text to English translations of the Latin, Syriac and Greek texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation ; George Lamsa’s translation, and Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton’s translation as revised and edited by Paul W. Esposito, respectively. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.). I often use the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible instead of Brenton’s translation, because it updates the English text.

The Septuagint was the earliest known translation of a book (circa 200 b.c.). Since this translation was made before the textual criticism had been developed into a science and because different books appear to be translated by different men, the Greek translation can sometimes be very uneven.

When there are serious disparities between my translation and Brenton’s (or the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible), I look at the Greek text of the Septuagint (the LXX) to see if a substantive difference actually exists (and I reflect these changes in the English rendering of the Greek text). I use the Greek LXX with Strong’s numbers and morphology available for e-sword. The only problem with this resource (which is a problem for similar resources) is, there is no way to further explore Greek verbs which are not found in the New Testament. Although I usually quote the Complete Apostles’ Bible here, I have begun to make changes in the translation when their translation conflicts with the Greek and note what those changes are.

The Masoretic text is the Hebrew text with all of the vowels (vowel points) inserted (the original Hebrew text lacked vowels). We take the Masoretic text to be the text closest to the original. However, differences between the Masoretic text and the Greek, Latin and Syriac are worth noting and, once in a great while, represent a more accurate text possessed by those other ancient translators.

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Bracketed portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls are words, letters and phrases lost in the scroll due to various types of damage. Underlined words or phrases are those in the Dead Sea Scrolls but not in the Masoretic text.

I will only list the translation from the Dead Sea Scrolls if it exists and if it is different from the Masoretic text.

These Bibles often fall into more than one category; I placed them where I believed them to have the best fit.

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        Hear, sons, instruction [or, admonition] of a father; and attend to know discernment; for teaching good I will give to you [all]; my law you [all] will not forsake.

Latin Vulgate                          Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend, that you may know prudence. I will give you a good gift, forsake not my law.

Peshitta (Syriac)                    HEAR, O my children, the instruction of a father, and give ear to knowledge and understanding. Because I give you good doctrine, do not forsake my law.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   Hear, children, the instruction of a father, and listen to knowledge and understanding. Because I have given you good teaching, forsake not my law.

Septuagint (Greek)                Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding. For I give you a good gift; forsake not my law.

Significant differences:           The Syriac and Greek appear to add a 1^st person singular suffix to children (although we do not see this in the Aramaic Bible). The Hebrew has discernment; the Syriac has knowledge and understanding. The Latin and Greek have gift rather than teaching.

Limited Vocabulary Bibles:

Bible in Basic English             Give ear, my sons, to the teaching of a father; give attention so that you may have knowledge: For I give you good teaching; do not give up the knowledge you are getting from me.

Easy English                          My sons, listen to your father's instruction.

As you listen to me, you will understand more.

My lessons are good.

Do not leave the things that I teach you.

Easy-to-Read Version            Sons, listen to your father’s teachings. Pay attention so you will understand! Why? Because the things I teach you are important and good. So don’t ever forget my teachings.

Good News Bible (TEV)         My children, listen to what your father teaches you. Pay attention, and you will have understanding. What I am teaching you is good, so remember it all.

The Message                         Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live. I'm giving you good counsel; don't let it go in one ear and out the other.

Names of God Bible               Cherish Wisdom

Sons,

listen to your father's discipline,

and pay attention in order to gain understanding.

After all, I have taught you well.

Do not abandon my teachings.

NIRV                                      Get Wisdom at Any Cost

My sons, listen to a father's teaching.

Pay attention and gain understanding.

I give you good advice.

So don't turn away from what I teach you.

New Simplified Bible              Listen my sons to what your father teaches you. Pay attention and gain understanding. I give you good instruction. Do not abandon my Law!

Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:

Common English Bible           Love wisdom

Hear, children, fatherly instruction;

pay attention to gain understanding.

I'll teach you well.

Don't abandon my instruction.

Contemporary English V.       My child, listen closely to my teachings and learn common sense. My advice is useful, so don't turn away.

The Living Bible                     Young men, listen to me as you would to your father. Listen, and grow wise, for I speak the truth-don't turn away.

New Berkeley Version           Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father;

listen to gain insight.

Since I give you good doctrine [“What is received] do not forsake my teaching.

New Century Version             Wisdom Is Important

My children, listen to your father's teaching;

pay attention so you will understand.

What I am telling you is good,

so do not forget what I teach you.

New Life Bible                        O sons, hear the teaching of a father. Listen so you may get understanding. For I give you good teaching. Do not turn away from it.

New Living Translation           A Father's Wise Advice

My children [Hebrew My sons], listen when your father corrects you.

Pay attention and learn good judgment,

for I am giving you good guidance.

Don't turn away from my instructions.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          O children; Hear the words of your father! Listen, so you can gain insight! I'm going to give you a gift, and from my instructions, don't stray!

Beck’s American Translation Get Wisdom

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;

pay attention to get understanding.

The learning I give you is good

so don’t give up anything I teach you.

International Standard V        Diligently Pursue Wisdom

Listen, children [Lit. sons], to your father's instruction,

and pay attention in order to gain understanding.

I give you sound teaching,

so do not abandon my instruction [Or law].

New Advent (Knox)Bible        Sons of mine, take a lesson from your father; a lesson that will make discerning men of you, will you but heed it. A precious heirloom it is, the tradition I teach, not to be lightly bartered away.

Today’s NIV                          Get Wisdom at Any Cost

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

Translation for Translators     My children, listen to what I am teaching you.

If you pay attention, you will understand what is wise.

What I am teaching you is good,

so do not turn away from it.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Ancient Roots Translinear      Sons, hear a father's correction: Listen to know and understand.

For I give you good learning: never forsake my Torah.

Conservapedia                       Listen children to the instructions of a father and have good understanding because i will give you good doctrine, don't abandon my law.

Ferar-Fenton Bible                 David Continues His Lessons to Solomon, Related by Him to His Own Son

Listen, sons, to a fathers instruction, And reflection attentively learn ; For good doctrine I utter to you, So never abandon my rules.

Jubilee Bible 2000                  Hearken, ye sons, unto the chastening of the father, and pay attention that ye might know understanding. For I give you good doctrine; do not forsake my law.

Lexham English Bible            The Father's Wisdom

Children, listen [to the] instruction of a father, and be attentive [in order] to know insight.

For I have given you good instruction; do not forsake my teaching.

NIV – UK                                Get wisdom at any cost

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;

pay attention and gain understanding.

I give you sound learning,

so do not forsake my teaching.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  Keep to the right path

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction and pay attention so that you may gain insight. For I have given you good principles; do not discard my teaching!

The Heritage Bible                 Corrective discipline will keep you from the path of the wicked

You children, attentively hear the corrective discipline of a father, and prick up your ears to know understanding,

Because I give you good instruction; do not forsake my law,.

New American Bible (2002)   Hear, O children, a father's instruction, be attentive, that you may gain understanding!

Yes, excellent advice I give you; my teaching do not forsake.

New American Bible (2011)              The Teacher as Model Disciple The teacher draws a parallel between his teaching the disciples now and his father's teaching him in his youth (vv. 3-4): what my father taught me about wisdom is what I am teaching you. The poem implies that the teacher has acquired wisdom and has in fact been protected and honored as his father promised long ago. Thus the teacher has the authority of someone who has been under wisdom's sway since earliest youth.

O children, a father's instruction,

be attentive, that you may gain understanding!

Yes, excellent advice I give you;

my teaching do not forsake.

New Jerusalem Bible             Listen, my children, to a father's instruction; pay attention, and learn what understanding is.

What I am offering you is sound doctrine: do not forsake my teaching.

New RSV                               Listen, children, to a father's instruction,

and be attentive, that you may gain [Heb know] insight;

for I give you good precepts:

do not forsake my teaching.

Revised English Bible            Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction, consider attentively how to gain understanding;

it is sound learning I give you, so do not forsake my teaching.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           Listen, children, to a father's instruction; pay attention, in order to gain insight; for I am giving you good advice; so don't abandon my teaching.

exeGeses companion Bible   Hear, you sons, the discipline of a father;

and hearken to know discernment;

for I give you good doctrine:

forsake not my torah.

Hebrew Names Version         Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;

for I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law.

JPS (Tanakh—1985)               Sons, heed the discipline of a father;

Listen and learn discernment,

For I give you good instruction;

Do not forsake my teaching.

Judaica Press Complete T.    Children, hearken to the discipline of the Father, and listen to know understanding.

For I gave you good teaching; forsake not My instruction.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Hear, ye banim, the musar (instruction, discipline) of an av, and attend to know binah (understanding).

For I give you lekach tov (good doctrine, good instruction), forsake ye not my torah.

The Scriptures 1998              Children, listen to the discipline of a father, And give attention to know understanding;

For I gave you good instruction: Do not forsake my Torah.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, and pay attention in order to gain and to know intelligent discernment, comprehension, and interpretation [of spiritual matters].

For I give you good doctrine [what is to be received]; do not forsake my teaching.

The Expanded Bible              Wisdom Is Important

My ·children [^Lsons], listen to your father's ·teaching [discipline; instruction];

pay attention ·so you will understand [^Lto the knowledge of understanding].

·What I am telling you is good [^LI will give you good teaching],

so do not ·forget [^Labandon; forsake] ·what I teach you [^Lmy instruction].

The Geneva Bible                  Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father [He speaks this as a preacher and minister which is as a father to the people, ( Proverbs 2:8 ). ], and attend to know understanding.

Kretzmann’s Commentary    Admonitions Concerning Wisdom

Hear, ye children, the affectionate address being intended to arouse attention in his readers, the instruction of a father, one who, for that reason, had the experience needed to teach others, and attend to know understanding, to make it their property.

For I give you good doctrine, teachings which he had received from his father, the value of which had been proved, which he could therefore hand over to the younger generation with words of warm commendation; forsake ye not my law, by setting his advice aside, by neglecting it.

NET Bible®                             Admonition to Follow Righteousness and Avoid Wickedness The chapter includes an exhortation to acquire wisdom (1-4a), a list of the benefits of wisdom (4b-9), a call to pursue a righteous lifestyle (10-13), a warning against a wicked lifestyle (14-19), and an exhortation to righteousness (20-27).

Listen, children [Heb "sons."], to a father's instruction [Heb "discipline."],

and pay attention so that4 you may gain [Heb "know" (so KJV, ASV)] discernment.

Because I give you good instruction,

do not forsake my teaching. When it comes to making an actual material change to the text, the NET Bible® is pretty good about indicating this. Since most of these corrections will be clear in the more literal translations below and within the Hebrew exegesis itself, I will not continue to list every NET Bible® footnote. Language footnotes will be placed in the Hebrew exegesis.

Syndein/Thieme                     {Chapter 4 - What Solomon Taught His Son Rehoboam}

Hear, listen and obey' {shama`}, you children {ben}, the doctrine/instruction {muwcar - 'to train by discipline' - to teach under authority will teach the principal of respect for authority - that child will respect authority for life - if this is not taught the child will not respect others, their property, their rights - a bad start in life} of a father {'Abraham}, and 'listen carefully' to know doctrine {biynah}. {biynah - 'doctrine in the right lobe'}

For I {Solomon} give you {Rehoboam} good doctrine/'teaching of what we believe' {leqach} . . . forsake you not my law {towrah}.

The Voice                               Gather, children, to hear your father's instruction.

Pay close attention so you will understand,

For I am passing down to you important precepts.

Do not abandon these valuable life lessons.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Concordant Literal Version    Hearken, O sons, to a father's discipline, And attend in order to know understanding."

For I give you good monition; Do not forsake my law.

Context Group Version          Hear, [ my ] sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding:

For I give you { pl } good doctrine; Don't forsake { pl } my law.

Darby updated Translation     Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know intelligence; for I give you good doctrine: do not forsake my law.

Emphasized Bible                  Hear, ye sons, the correction of a father, and attend, that ye may know understanding.

For, good teaching, have I given you, mine instruction, do not ye forsake.

English Standard V. – UK       A Father's Wise Instruction

Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,

and be attentive, that you may gain [Hebrew know] insight,

for I give you good precepts;

do not forsake my teaching.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           Hear, O' you children, the fatherly exhortation, and take good heed, that you may learn wisdom. Yes I shall give you a good reward, (KJV =doctrine) if you will not forsake my law.

NASB                                     A Father's Instruction

Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father,

And give attention that you may gain [Lit know] understanding,

For I give you sound [Lit good] teaching;

Do not abandon my instruction [Or law].

New European Version          The Supremacy of Wisdom

Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; for I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law.

New King James Version       Security in Wisdom

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,

And give attention to know understanding;

For I give you good doctrine:

Do not forsake my law.

Stuart Wolf’s literal trans.      Hear/obey, sons, the instruction/discipline of a father, and be attentive in order to know prudence/understanding. Because/for a good education I give to you all; my instruction/law do not abandon.

Third Millennium Bible            Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and be attentive to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine; forsake ye not my law.

Updated Bible Version 2.11   Hear, [my] sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding:

For I give you+ good doctrine; Don't forsake+ my law.

A Voice in the Wilderness      Children, hear the instruction of a father, and pay attention to know understanding, for I give you good teaching; do not forsake my law.

Webster’s updated Bible       Hear, children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

For I give you good doctrine, forsake not my law.

Young's Updated LT              Hear, [my] sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding. For good learning I have given to you, My law forsake not.

The gist of this verse:          The teacher is speaking to sons now, and he tells them to pay attention to his teaching; and that he has provided them with accurate teaching that they were not to forsake.

Translation: Listen, [my] sons, [to] the admonition [or, instruction] of [your] father;... There are no names affixed to this text, because this scene should be repeated in every family. There is nothing more important in a family than the father teaching Bible doctrine to his young son (or sons).

We begin by reading to our children at a very young age—and they drift off to sleep. We also read some of the Bible to them (a simple-English version) as well. But every child will read that point in time—usually between the ages of 3 and 4—where suddenly, they want to know everything. And they will ask you a hundred questions if you let them (and you should let them). Ideally speaking, these questions should all lead to God and God’s provision for man.

The Easy English Bible: Solomon's family was Israel's royal family. In the poem, the father does not teach about being a king. He does not speak about wealth and money. He does not explain how to lead the nation. For this father, only one thing matters. His son must learn wisdom.

We have two things which stand out right away, which two things sets this chapter of Proverbs as different from the previous chapters: (1) David (or, Solomon) is speaking to sons (plural); and (2) he does not call himself your father; but plain father.

This stands out—particularly to the expositor who goes verse-by-verse and word-by-word through the Bible—and will have a myriad of interpretations. Let me suggest this: David began to teach Solomon; and, in a very short period of time, Solomon’s younger brothers and some of their friends asked to listen in to this teaching. They all understood its importance.

Therefore, David is like a father to these boys, but, strictly speaking, he is not their father. The other understanding is, this is Solomon teaching his sons, but he is presenting what his father taught him—so they are learning from a father, who will be mentioned in v. 3. Because of v. 3 (When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. —Prov. 4:3–4; ESV), this second interpretation seems to be the accurate one.

Rickard: The father (and mother), not the professional school teacher or the pastor or government official, has the most profound responsibility and opportunity to lead a young man in the right way. Only a parent can implore the young man to do what is right with the depth of love and concern displayed here. This text, more than any other, brings out the urgency of parental love.

Paraphrased from Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary: Without good and accurate doctrine, there can be no good character. There can be no right feelings towards God unless there has been right teaching about Him. True views of God can only come from true doctrine concerning Him. Without a right view of God there is no motive power to form character. A man must know God as He is before he can begin to follow Him. There must be a true mirror to give a correct reflection. If a child is not taught at the beginning to develop a good character, there will be an increasingly bad one. When men have no right doctrine concerning God—in other words, when they do not know Him as He is—they invariably make a God after their own conceptions. They bring God down to their level. "You think that I am like you;” (Psalm 50:21b), has been the fatal mistake of men in all ages. If a man falls overboard from the deck of a vessel, he will not remain long at the level of his first fall. If he is not rescued he will sink to such a depth as will be out of all comparison with it. He will go lower and lower till his body finds the bottom of the ocean.

The parent has a great deal of control over his sons, but, as they grow older, his influence and his control lessens. We have, no doubt, come across the 10 year old son who is out of control. Often, that is because when this little boy was small enough to control, his parents never exerted their authority over him; they did not train him.

As believers with Bible doctrine, we are the custodians of truth in this generation, and it is our responsibility not just to pass along to gospel of Jesus Christ to the next generation, but His thinking as well. We are vital links in providing doctrine from one generation to the next.

So far, v. 1 reads: Listen, [my] sons, [to] the admonition [or, instruction] of [your] father;... What David wants them to listen to is his mûwçâr (מוּסָר) [pronounced moo-SAWR], which means, discipline [of the moral nature], chastening, correction; admonition; instruction, doctrine. Strong’s #4148 BDB #416. You will note the emphasis on correction and chastening. So this is instruction with limitations on their behavior; something which some people, including some parents, just don’t think they should do. The Bible teaches us that you place limitations on your children. You do not teach them that just anything goes.

Application: When dealing with young people, one tool that a parent must have and use is discipline. The parent needs to have the freedom to smack that kid (not on the face, but on his behind), so that the child knows, “I ain’t playing with you!” So, when it comes to Satanic attacks, what do we expect to happen? Public schools are being defanged, so there are very few public schools today which allow for swats or other kind of discipline. When it comes to parents, some children can say that they have been spanked, and outside authorities are sometimes brought into the picture. Sometimes this is from an over-zealous school nurse or teacher; and sometimes, it is state law; and, of course, this has been made illegal is some European countries.

Listen, [my] sons, [to] the admonition [or, instruction] of [your] father;... Wells of Living Water Commentary: These words suggest the value of a father's superior wisdom and knowledge. The father is, of course, older than his child, and years tend to wisdom.

Translation: ...give attention to the acquiring of discernment;... David tells these younger men (they are probably all teenagers or younger), that they need to pay attention to understanding and discernment.

Stuart Wolf: The synonymous parallel and pay attention also demands more than mere cognitive acceptance, it is an admonition to give heed, to concentrate on the subject at hand and place it firmly in one’s frame of reference.

This is almost the direct opposite of what is being taught in our schools today. In this age of cultural diversity, everything is equal. You believe in Jesus; and they believe in Allah and Mohammed—same thing, equal concepts, equal value. Our schools teach that there is no difference. That is pure crap. Part of growing up as a teen is learning how to discern between right and wrong actions and between good and bad associations. Christian organizations send relief of various kinds all over the world. Muslim organizations capture some of these people and kill them and make videos of it. How are these approaches equivalent?

When I was younger, I was not the best influence. I recall one guy who came out and hung out with me and some friends one time; and he never did again. He had discernment. I was a bad influence and the people I hung out with were bad influences. He realized that this was not a crowd to get involved with. Never heard from him again.

Young people need to learn to make decisions; they need to learn that they avoid this group or that group; they need to know that certain things are wrong, and not to become involved with people who do those things. They also need to learn that certain points of view are wrong—not just wrong, but evil and anti-God. They need to learn to avoid being sucked into groups of people who adhere to evil and anti-God thinking.

Our current president has quoted from the Bible on a number of occasions, to make his socialist philosophy seem reasonable to those who listen to him. He will talk about being our brother’s keeper (he is certainly not his brother’s keeper). But, on other occasions, he lets us know how he really feels about Scripture. How he thinks that there is this element of society that is backward, the opposite of progressive, and they cling to their Bibles and to their guns, and bear antipathy toward those who are not like them.

Wells of Living Water Commentary: A babe comes into the world in utter ignorance. He must be taught, as he grows from babehood into childhood, and from childhood into youth. He therefore should give himself to know understanding. He must apply himself. He must give attention to reading, to study, to observation of everything about him. He must apply himself with all diligence to the task of improvement, otherwise he will see others surpassing him in knowledge and preparation for life.

Stuart Wolf: This insight refers to the practical application of information gathered, not merely the collection thereof; the father is presenting information that the son can use to prosper, but not every circumstance can be predicted – the son must learn how to think rather than only what to think.

Translation: ...for I am giving you good [and accurate] teaching. The word ţôwb (טוֹב) [pronounced toh^bv] means, pleasant, pleasing, agreeable, good, better; approved. Strong’s #2896 BDB #373. The idea is, what David is teaching is accurate.

We know that David had a period of time when he went far astray from God’s plan. He actually took the wife of one of his honorable soldiers, and then had that man killed. David for ten years was put under tremendous pressure from God for doing that—and all of his bad decisions in life came back to haunt him.

However, by the time that Solomon came along, David was in recovery. He was still under pressure, but he was growing spiritually at the same time. David was a great young man, and now, as an old man, he has begun to regain that spiritual maturity. And now he is passing it on to the next generation—which is responsible to train up the next generation.

No matter what the context—who exactly is teaching whom—this teaching is universal.

Solomon, like David, had a period of degeneracy in his life. He began strong as a young man, but then, he became too taken by women, by his power and by his money. So, for much of his life, Solomon was confused and out of step with God’s plan (this is what the books Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes are about).

However, as a young man, early on as a king, he had a few sons and he possessed the great wisdom that he had prayed for.

It ought to be clear that people have various levels of wisdom in various areas; and some people think only evil all of their lives. Much of what we learn is how we are brought up—what our parents teach us (in word and deed) and what we learn in school, what we learn from our culture (which has a variety of sources); and then there is the tricky part of our thinking, which is our volition. How exactly does one person hear accurate teaching, and then reject it; and another hear accurate teaching and accept it? This could be quite an interesting and compelling study.

In any case, you have influence over your own thinking and over the thinking of your children. Your influence of the thinking of your society is quite diminished by comparison. Obviously, those who are held in high regard (celebrities or political figures) might have some

Wells of Living Water Commentary: It is not enough for him to give attention to instruction. He must also have a good instructor. His father must give him good doctrine, and good law. Herein we see that the greatest responsibility lies in parenthood; and yet, the child must be a willing listener, an apt scholar, and quick to obey instruction.

Translation: Do not forsake my instruction. We have the word tôwrah (טוֹרַה or טֹרַה) [pronounced TOH-rah], which is often translated law; and often understood to refer to the Mosaic Law. However, it can also mean, instruction, doctrine; [human and divine] law, direction, regulations, protocol; custom. Strong’s #8451 and #8452 BDB #435. What is being taught is divine viewpoint and divine Law. This is why the parent needs to know God’s thinking, so that when he brings his children up, he can teach them accurately.

David is telling these young men who are listening to him, and he warns them not to lay aside, not to forsake what he is teaching. The idea is, the young person hears this wisdom but then just dismisses it out of hand, without giving it full and complete consideration.

Interestingly enough, this section will be directed toward sons, but the next will be directed toward my son; so David probably did have a number of young men who originally came to him, but then, eventually, peeled off from doctrine.

One-on-one teaching is legitimate when it is a mother to her son or a father to his son.

Furthermore, what a parent does in his life is every bit as instructive as what he teaches his children. We all have remembrances of parents, and sometimes these are of what the parent said and sometimes these are things which your parents did. For me—and this is probably true of many adult children—I can think back on things which my parents did and said which, I did not fully appreciate then, but, decades later, have great meaning for me.

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Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        When a son I was to my father, tender and only-born to faces of my mother; and so he teaches me and so he says to me, “Will hold fast my words your heart. Keep my commandments and live.

Latin Vulgate                          For I also was my father’s son, tender, and as an only son in the sight of my mother: And he taught me, and said: Let your heare receive my words, keep my commandments, and you will live.

Peshitta (Syriac)                    For I was also a son to my father, tender and the only begotten in the sight of my mother. He taught me, and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live; and let my law be as the pupil of the eye.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   For I have been a delightful son to my father and an only child in the presence of my mother.

And he taught me and said to me, "Confirm my word in your heart; keep my commandments and live, and my law like the pupils of the eyes".

Septuagint (Greek)                For I also was a son obedient to my father, and loved in the sight of my mother: who spoke and instructed me, saying, Let our speech be fixed in your heart, keep our commandments, forget them not: and do not neglect the speech of my mouth. V. 5 is included for context.

Significant differences:           The Aramaic and Greek seems to have different words than tender (although it is not clear exactly what that means here). The Syriac adds an additional phrase at the end.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             For I was a son to my father, a gentle and an only one to my mother.

And he gave me teaching, saying to me, Keep my words in your heart; keep my rules so that you may have life:...

Easy English                          I was only a boy in my father's house.

I was young, and my mother's only child.

My father taught me. He said, `Study my words deeply!

Keep my commands, and so learn to live a good life.

Easy-to-Read Version            I was young once too! I was my daddy’s little boy and my mother’s only son.

And my father taught me these things. He said to me, “Remember the things I say. Obey my commands and you will live.

Good News Bible (TEV)         When I was only a little boy, my parents' only son,

my father would teach me. He would say, "Remember what I say and never forget it. Do as I tell you, and you will live.

The Message                         When I was a boy at my father's knee, the pride and joy of my mother,

He would sit me down and drill me: "Take this to heart. Do what I tell you--live!

Names of God Bible               When I was a boy learning from my father,

when I was a tender and only child of my mother,

they used to teach me and say to me,

"Cling to my words wholeheartedly.

Obey my commands so that you may live.

NIRV                                      I, too, was once a young boy in my father's house.

And my mother loved me deeply.

Then my father taught me.

He said to me, "Take hold of my words with all your heart.

Keep my commands, and you will live.

Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:

Common English Bible           When I was a son to my father,

tender and my mother's favorite,

he taught me and said to me:

"Let your heart hold on to my words:

Keep my commands and live.

Contemporary English V.       When I was still very young and my mother's favorite child, my father said to me: "If you follow my teachings and keep them in mind, you will live.

The Living Bible                     For I, too, was once a son, tenderly loved by my mother as an only child, and the companion of my father. He told me never to forget his words. "If you follow them," he said, "you will have a long and happy life.

New Berkeley Version           For I was once a son with my father [We may here picture king David instructing his son Solomon. The father had many sons but the mother, Bathsheba, thought of Solomon as her only son.],

tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,

and he taught me, saying to me:

“Let your heart hold fast to my words;

keep my commandments and live.

New Century Version             When I was a young boy in my father's house

and like an only child to my mother,

my father taught me and said,

"Hold on to my words with all your heart.

Keep my commands and you will live.

New Life Version                    When I was a much loved and only son of my mother and father, he taught me, saying, "Hold my words close to your heart. Keep my teachings and live.

New Living Translation           For I, too, was once my father's son,

tenderly loved as my mother's only child.

My father taught me,

"Take my words to heart.

Follow my commands, and you will live.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          I was also the son of a father, and one who was loved by his mother; so by them both I was taught. [They said], 'Keep our words in your heart! Keep our commandments. do not forget!

International Standard V        When I was a son to my father,

not yet strong [Lit. delicate] and an only son to my mother,

he taught me and told me,

"Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say [Lit. embrace my words];

keep my commandments and live!

New Advent (Knox) Bible       Time was when I had a father of my own; and when I was but a boy, my mother's darling, in such words as these he would teach me: Ever be thy heart true to my bidding; if thrive thou wouldst, hold fast the charge I give thee.

Translation for Translators     When I was a young boy, loved by my mother,

my father told me, "Keep my words in your inner being;

if you obey my commandments,

you will live a long time.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Ancient Roots Translinear      For I was my father's son, and a tender only-child in front of my mother.

He directed me and said to me, "Support my words in your heart. Keep my commandments, and live.

Conservapedia                       I was my fathers son, tender and only loved in the sight of my mother. He also taught, me and said to me, let your heart keep my words, keep my commandments and live.

Ferar-Fenton Bible                 For I was my fathers dear son, Who because of my mother he loved, So he taught me himself, and he said,-- `Now let your heart cling to my words Regard my instructions and live.

Jubilee Bible 2000                  For I was my father's son, tender and unique in the sight of my mother. He taught me and said unto me, Sustain thine heart with my words; keep my commandments, and live.

Lexham English Bible            When I was a son to my father, tender and alone before my mother,

he taught me and said to me, "May your heart hold fast [to] my words; guard my commandments and live.

NIV – UK                                For I too was a son to my father,

still tender, and cherished by my mother.

Then he taught me, and he said to me,

`Take hold of my words with all your heart;

keep my commands, and you will live.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  For when I, too, was a young boy, and my mother fondly looked on me as special,

my father taught me and said to me: Treasure my words in your heart; listen to my directions and you will live.

The Heritage Bible                 Because I was my father’s son, a tender and only child before the face of my mother. And he caused it to flow to me, and said to me, Let your heart take hold of my words; hedge about my commandments, and live.

New American Bible (2002)   When I was my father's child, frail, yet the darling of my mother,

He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart hold fast my words: keep my commands, that you may live!

New American Bible (2011)   When I was my father's child,

tender, the darling of my mother,

He taught me and said to me:

"Let your heart hold fast my words [Dt 6:1-6.]:

keep my commands, and live!

New Jerusalem Bible             I too was once a child with a father, in my mother's eyes a tender child, unique.

This was what he used to teach me, 'Let your heart treasure what I have to say, keep my principles and you will live;

acquire wisdom, acquire understanding, never forget her, never deviate from my words. V. 5 is included for context.

New RSV                               When I was a son with my father,

tender, and my mother's favourite,

he taught me, and said to me,

`Let your heart hold fast my words;

keep my commandments, and live.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           For I too was once a child to my father; and my mother, too, thought of me as her special darling. He too taught me; he said to me, "Let your heart treasure my words; keep my commands, and live; ...

exeGeses companion Bible   For I was a son of my father - tender;

an only at the face of my mother:

and teaches me and says to me,

O that your heart uphold my words;

guard my misvoth and live.

JPS (Tanakh—1985)               Once I was a son to my father,

The tender darling of my mother.

He instructed me and said to me,

"Let your mind hold on to my words;

Keep my commandments and you will live.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           For I was ben to avi, tender and yachid (an only child) before immi.

He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine lev retain my words; be shomer over my mitzvot, and live.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                When I [Solomon] was a son with my father [David], tender and the only son in the sight of my mother [Bathsheba],

He taught me and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live.

The Expanded Bible              When I was a ·young boy in my father's house [^Lson to my father]

·and like an only child to [^Ltender, and the only one of] my mother,

my father taught me and said,

"Hold on to my words with all your heart.

·Keep [Guard] my commands and you will live.

The Geneva Bible                  He [Meaning, David his father. ] taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Kretzmann’s Commentary    For I was my father's son, an object of special care and tender regard in David's eyes, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother, the one whom she surrounded with particular love.

He taught me also and said unto me, David thus proving himself a wise teacher, Let thine heart retain my words, holding them fast for the purpose of following them always; keep my commandments and live, for by observing them he would become the possessor of true life and enjoy its advantages.

NET Bible®                             When I was a son to my father [Or "a boy with my father."],

a tender only child before my mother,

he taught me, and he said to me:

"Let your heart lay hold of my words;

keep my commands so that10 you will live.

Syndein/Thieme                     For I {Solomon} was my father's son {David's son}, tender and unique/only {means that after the death of Absalom, David selected him to be the next king} beloved in the sight of my mother {Bathsheba}.

He {David} taught me {Solomon} also, and said unto me, "Let your 'right lobe'/heart retain my words/'doctrinal communications {dabar} . . . keep my commandments {mitzvah}, and live. {meaning 'how to live the spiritual life' to live by divine viewpoint - to Walk in the Righteous Ways of God}.

The Voice                               Back when I was young-the very image of my father,

and yet from my mother's view, still her only boy-

My father, with his years of experience, became my teacher.

Father: Son, grab on to every word I say to you-hold them close-

stay true to my instructions as you live, and they will serve you well.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Concordant Literal Version    When I was a young son before my father, Tender, and an only child before my mother,

He directed me and said to me:May your heart uphold my word; Keep my instruction and live;...

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           For when I my self was my fathers dear son, and tenderly beloved of my mother, he taught me also, saying: Let your heart receive my words, keep my commandments, and you shall live.

New King James Version       When I was my father's son,

Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,

He also taught me, and said to me:

"Let your heart retain my words;

Keep my commands, and live.

Stuart Wolf’s literal trans.      Because/when a son I became to my father, tender/frail and the unique/only son before my mother; then he taught me and said to me, ‘Let your heart take hold of my words, keep my commands and live’.

A Voice in the Wilderness      For I was my father's son, tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.

And he taught me and said to me, Let your heart cling to my words; keep my commandments and live.

Webster’s Bible Translation  For I was my father's son, tender and only [beloved] in the sight of my mother.

He taught me also, and said to me, Let thy heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Young’s Updated LT             For, a son I have been to my father—tender, And an only one before my mother. And he directs me, and he says to me: “Let your heart retain my words, Keep my commands, and live.

The gist of this verse:          The speaker (writer) begins by referring to his father and what he taught him. His father emphasized that he needed to hold on to his words and commands.

Translation: When I was a son to my father,... This sounds like Solomon speaking to his own sons, telling him about his own growing up. I say this for two reasons: (1) suddenly we have a father speaking to his sons; and (2) Solomon will say some things which follow which sound as if he received sound teaching very early in life.

I must admit, I do find some speculation interesting; and it adds context to what is being said. However, these words are universal, and not only confined to the days of Solomon.

This could also be translated when I became a son to my father,... The idea is to be more than a son by birth, but a son in obedience as well.

Rickard: This reflects the Biblical assumption that the aged are wiser than the young because they have had more experience at life. Therefore, they and their counsel are to be listened to with respect and obeyed. What Solomon is about to share is knowledge that predates all, (the eternal Word of God), that should be heard and obeyed due to its wisdom.

Translation: ...delicate and only-born before my mother;... The Easy to Read version gives us a reasonable way to understand v. 3: I was young once too! I was my daddy’s little boy and my mother’s only son.

I have placed delicate with the mother (it is applied to the son in a state of virtual helplessness). In context, this would be Solomon speaking of his mother and father raising him.

The contextual importance here is, Solomon began as a very young king—I estimate his reign beginning when he is somewhere between 12 and 18. So, we should expect several established older men to run the show; or we should expect Solomon to do a really lousy job because of his youth. However, neither is the case. Solomon, because of the teaching of King David, was prepared to become king. He certainly leaned on some men that David deemed to be honorable, Solomon was still his own man.

Application: This is something that a young child—or even and older child or teen—never really appreciates. He sees everything in terms of himself. He does not understand fully that his father was a young man and even a child at one time; and that, one day, he will be an old man like his father.

Application: There is a progression of life that few of us fully appreciate until we get old. When I first began to get a hint of it (and I may seem to be really dense by this admission), is I began to put together a family line, and I could insert photographs—and suddenly, I was perplexed. What pictures do I use? I might have old, old photographs of grandparents when they were both young—I never really recalled them at that age. But, they were that age at one time. By the time I developed an interest like this, my grandparents had all passed away. They seemed so old to me—and yet, here are these pictures of young men and women—younger than me! It is that great procession of life that we are all a part of; but few of us rarely grasp it.

Application: Who among us has not looked forward to such and such a time, when we are older, and have more money, more possessions, more freedom, more authority. That time always comes. Whether we think about it or not, that time comes to us.

So this is Solomon—seen by his sons as an older man (even though he is, in reality, quite young); and he is telling his children that he was once young and he received this same teaching from his father. This is the progression of life that God is interested in. He wants His wisdom passed along from generation to generation.

Application: These times of teaching are quite tender and important in the life of a young person. Our own president remarked about his mother waking him up at 4:30 in the morning to work on his homework together, and he complained about it. And she tells him, “This is no picnic for me either, buster.”

v. 3 reads: When I was a son to my father, delicate and only-born before my mother;... Now, regarding who might be speaking/writing these words:

You may recall that King David had about 10 wives and 10 mistresses (I forget the exact amount of each). And David was sent out to watch the sheep at a very early age. We learn nothing about David being taught Bible doctrine from his mother or father. Furthermore, David is the final child, so, even if his parents did teach him Bible doctrine, there would not have been a time when he was an only son.

On the other hand, even though Solomon has 3 younger brothers, there would have been a period of time when he was very young, and he had no brothers. He was the only son to his mother and father. King David, by this time, began to treat Solomon’s mother as his only wife. He has 4 sons by her; and nothing is said about David accumulating more wives or mistresses or having other children except by Bathsheba (Solomon’s mother).

There is also this thing with the firstborn—he is seen as different and he is treated as different (generally speaking). In a royal family, he is generally the next king; in a family business, he is often the next head of that business.

So, this description, for a period of time, fits Solomon; it does not as easily fit King David.

Therefore, we appear to have Solomon in this chapter speaking to his own sons.

We do not have any sons of Solomon who distinguish themselves as being great or even near great. So, either these sons did not take on any of the teaching given them by Solomon; or, when Solomon got off track later in life, they simply set his teaching aside (as he violated much of what we read in the book of Proverbs).

It is a sad fact of life that, even with excellent training, some children will get off-track, either as teenagers or as young adults; and sometimes even later in life. The principles taught in the Word of God remain true, despite the fact that its teaching is set aside by those who have been properly discipled. After all, Judas heard the Lord teach the truth for more than 3 years, and he still betrayed Him.

Knowing that your son has a sin nature does not excuse the expression of his sin nature; nor does that knowledge somehow prevent you from disciplining him. When he needs it, he should be disciplined—and he should be disciplined from a mental attitude of love and guidance.

However, once a child is an adult, then you can provide advice when asked for, but, at that point, you no longer discipline him. David saw Solomon grab at wisdom—a young Solomon desired nothing more than the wisdom of Bible doctrine taught him by his father. However, Solomon, as an adult, will forsake this teaching and go his own way. We will see some of this in the book of Kings; as well as in Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.

At the end of his life, Solomon came back to the Word of God and to the excellent teaching that he received. If his son Rehoboam was positive as a child, it does not show in his character as an adult. In any case, we do not know what the future holds for our children; or where their own volition will take them. The best we can do is prepare them properly, and then leave the rest up to God.

Wells of Living Water Commentary: God”s Word is very definite in its instruction to boys and girls. It says: Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. The Bible, however, demands more than a legal obedience. It adds: " Honour your father and mother; which is the first Commandment with promise; that it may be well with you, that you may live long on the earth." 

Translation: ...he taught me and he said to me, “[Let] your heart hold only my words;... There is a great respect for elders in the Jewish tradition (and in many cultures). American culture is one of the few cultures where some people nearly worship youth or youthfulness. But, by saying, this is what my father taught me, there is additional import and authority given to the teaching.

Without specifically saying it, this indicates just how important good teaching from one’s father is. David’s teaching to Solomon is so important that Solomon repeats it here, word-for-word, to his own children. Solomon, by quoting his father, suggests that he learned these things well enough to memorize them.

In general, there is a mutual benefit derived from a teacher and a student; each has his proper role: the teacher is ready to teach and the student is ready to learn.

Pastor Greg Allen on the heart: Let's first take a look at this thing we're commanded to protect: the heart. A Jewish young man hearing these words would not have thought as we do when he heard the word "heart". We tend to think of the heart as the seat of emotions. We love someone "with all our heart"; or we're "heart-broken" when that someone doesn't love us back. But to a Jew, it wasn't the heart that was seen as the seat of emotions, but rather the "belly"; which makes more sense. After all, when you're emotionally moved, doesn't your stomach respond? If a young Jewish man wanted tell his girlfriend that he had a lot of deep feelings for her, he'd say that, whenever he looked into her eyes, he felt something in his intestines. And she'd be complemented! The Valentine's card he'd send her would be decorated with pretty, laced stomachs and livers. To the Jewish reader, the "belly" was, symbolically, the seat of emotion. By distinction, the "heart" was considered the seat of the will and thought-life. It was in the "heart" - the inner self - that the personhood of a man or woman was centered. It was sometimes used as the symbol for the whole, inner, spiritual aspect of a person. It was parallel to what we think of when we talk about the "mind"; but it included much more than just thoughts and intellect. For example, when God sent the plagues against Egypt, it was Pharaoh's heart that was hardened; meaning his "will" (Ex. 9:7). When King David's son, Absalom wanted to turn the allegiance of the people from David to himself, the Bible says that he "stole the hearts of the men of Israel"; meaning their allegiance (2 Sam. 15:6). God sent the flood on mankind, the Bible tells us, because He "saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually"; meaning their moral mindset (Gen. 6:5). When David numbered his soldiers in disobedience to God, the Bible tells us that his "heart condemned him"; meaning his conscience (2 Sam. 24:10). King Rehoboam was said to be an evil king, "because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD"; meaning his inner priorities and commitments (2 Chron. 12:14).

Allen continues: According to the standard biblical Hebrew dictionary, the Hebrew word for "heart" can have the symbolic meaning of such things as (1) the spiritual aspect of man; (2) the mind; (3) the will; (4) the conscience; (5) the moral character of a man; (6) the seat of his desires and passions; (7) the seat of his sense of courage; (8) even for the whole man himself.3 So; it's the whole "inner-life" that we're to be concerned about - the "heart" in the sense of that part of us at which our thought-life, our values, our drives, our choices, and our sense of right and wrong all find their seat.

Solomon either wrote these words down or he memorized them—or both. And to v. 9 will recount these words for his own sons.

Although I (along with other commentators) attempt to assign a name to the teacher and the recipient; the book of Proverbs does not do that. The idea is that, this is universal teaching. It goes beyond the teaching of one father to his son in a particular era.