(22) For they are life . . .—Comp. 1 Timothy 4:8, “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, (the highest happiness that man can attain to now, peace of mind,) and of that which is to come,” the assurance of a joyful resurrection. read more
Proverbs 4:5-7 I mean to follow Solomon's directions, 'get learning, get understanding'. I find earlier days are gone by I find that I can have no enjoyment in the world but continual drinking of knowledge. Keats to John Taylor (1818). References. IV. 7. J. T. Bramston, Sermons to Boys, p. 152. A. E. Dunning, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xlviii. 1895, p. 12. U. Thomas, Ibid. vol. liii. 1898, p. 163. IV. 10, 11. W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven for Life on Earth, p. 117. 10-19. A. Maclaren, ... read more
CHAPTER 10TWO VOICES IN THE HIGH PLACES OF THE CITYProverbs 9:1-18, Proverbs 20:14 with Proberbs 3, and Proverbs 20:16 with Proverbs 4:1-27AFTER the lengthened contrast between the vicious woman and Wisdom in chapters 7 and 8, the introduction of the book closes with a little picture which is intended to repeat and sum up all that has gone before. It is a peroration, simple, graphic, and beautiful.There is a kind of competition between Wisdom and Folly, between Righteousness and Sin, between... read more
CHAPTER 4 1. Solomon’s training (Proverbs 4:1-9 ) 2. Hear, O my son: Receive my sayings (Proverbs 4:10-19 ) 3. My son, attend to my words. (Proverbs 4:20-27 ) Proverbs 4:1-9 . This passage shows the early training which Solomon received and he passeth on the instructions. It is said that these verses formed a model for many Puritan homes in England and the Scotland of the covenant. He was the beloved one, his father’s true son. Note the different exhortation, about wisdom: Forget it not;... read more
4:22 For they [are] life unto those that find them, and health to all their {i} flesh.(i) That is, they will have health of body: under which all other blessings promised in the law are contained. read more
These chapters begin with reminiscence. A father is reciting to a son the precepts taught him by his father in his youth, and which cover chapter four. Chapter five is a warning against the evil woman. Chapter six deals with suretyship, indolence, malice and violence, while chapter seven returns to the theme of chapter five. In the first-named chapter occurs the beautiful illustration of Hebrew rhythm to which attention was called in Lesson 1; and following it we find in Proverbs 4:18 and... read more
A Parental Exhortation Proverbs 4:0 Still the paternal exhortation proceeds with more and more rhetorical dignity. Doctrine and law form the staple of this appeal. By "law" understand "direction," for life is an ever-bisecting course, and full of points that must bewilder inexperienced travellers. Do not venture upon great sea voyages without proper instruments and without being taught how to use them. So in life. Be enriched with doctrine or wisdom, and cultivate that tender filial spirit... read more
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be... read more
Flesh. All may derive benefit from their consideration. (Haydock) read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:1-27
Ancestral Wisdom. The Two PathsIn Proverbs 4:1-9 the teacher lays stress on the fact that his instruction is a repetition of his father’s. No teaching was thought valuable save that which was handed down from one generation to another. The best pupil was the one who was ’a cemented cistern which loses not a drop.’ Proverbs 4:10-19 might be called the doctrine of the two paths, the two ways of life. 20-27 enjoin strict attention to instruction and to conduct.7. Lit. ’The beginning of wisdom is,... read more