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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 1:7-9

Solomon, having undertaken to teach a young man knowledge and discretion, here lays down two general rules to be observed in order thereunto, and those are, to fear God and honour his parents, which two fundamental laws of morality Pythagoras begins his golden verses with, but the former of them in a wretchedly corrupted state. Primum, deos immortales cole, parentesque honora?First worship the immortal gods, and honour your parents. To make young people such as they should be, I. Let them have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:9

For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head ,.... The instructions and laws of parents being attended unto and obeyed by children, render them more lovely and amiable than any beautiful ornament whatever that can be put upon their heads; and chains about thy neck ; be that unto them as chains of gold are to the neck, beautify and adorn them; so good works, done in obedience to God and parents, are ornaments of great price, and preferable to any outward adorning whatever; see ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 1:9

An ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains - That is, filial respect and obedience will be as ornamental to thee as crowns, diadems, and golden chains and pearls are to others. Political dignity has been distinguished in many nations by a chain of gold about the neck. Solomon seems here to intimate, if we follow the metaphor, that the surest way of coming to distinguished eminence, in civil matters, is to act according to the principles of true wislom, proceeding from the fear of God. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:8-9

Filial piety The teacher speaks under the assumed form of a father, like St. Paul ( 1 Corinthians 4:15 ; Philemon 1:10 ), to give the more affectionate zest to his appeal. And the word "mother" is brought in by poetical parallelism, enhancing the parental image, We may include the parent and the teacher in one conception. The duty owed to both is analogous. And the teacher may be at the same time the parent. I. DUTY TO PARENTS AND EARLY TEACHERS COMES NEXT TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:8-9

The duty and the beauty of filial piety The wise teacher here commends to us the excellency of the filial spirit. And it is worthy of notice that he exhorts the young to be obedient to their mother as well as mindful of the counsels of their father. We think of— I. THE DUTY OF FILIAL PIETY , based upon and arising from: 1 . The relation itself. It is enough that our parents are our parents, and that we are their offspring. On that simple ground it behoves us to listen and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:8-19

1. First admonitory discourse. Warning against enticements to robbery and bloodshed. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:9

For they (shall be) an ornament of grace unto thy head. The sentiment here expressed is put forward as an inducement to youth to observe obedience towards the instruction of the father and the law of the mother, and the meaning is that, just as in popular opinion ornaments and jewels are supposed to set off the personal form, so obedience towards parents in the ways of virtue embellishes the moral character (Bayne, Cartwright, Holden). An ornament of grace ; Hebrew, לִוְיַת ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:9

To the Israelite’s mind no signs or badges of joy or glory were higher in worth than the garland around the head, the gold chain around the neck, worn by kings and the favorites of kings Genesis 41:42; Daniel 5:29. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:8-9

Proverbs 1:8-9. My son, &c. He speaks to his scholars with paternal authority and affection, to render them more attentive and obedient. Teachers among the Hebrews were commonly called fathers, and their scholars their sons. Hear the instruction of thy father His good and wholesome counsels; and forsake not the law of thy mother Those pious instructions which thy mother instilled into thee in thy tender years. This he adds, because children, when grown up, are very prone to slight... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:8-19

Heed instruction; avoid bad company (1:8-19)Having introduced his subject, the writer now gives the first of a series of lessons on the value of wisdom. Throughout these lessons he speaks as a father to a son, drawing from his own experience to give advice and warning (8-9).The first warning concerns bad companions, especially those who lead others astray with the tempting offer of instant wealth through robbery and violence (10-14). The writer hopes that the inexperienced youth, being... read more

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