Proverbs 4:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-13

Here we have, I. The invitation which Solomon gives to his children to come and receive instruction from him (Prov. 4:1, 2): Hear, you children, the instruction of a father. That is, 1. ?Let my own children, in the first place, receive and give good heed to those instructions which I set down for the use of others also.? Note, Magistrates and ministers, who are entrusted with the direction of larger societies, are concerned to take a more than ordinary care for the good instruction of their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:13

Take fast hold of instruction ,.... Not the law, as Jarchi and Gersom interpret it; but the instruction of wisdom, the doctrine of Christ or the Gospel; see Proverbs 8:1 ; which is an instruction into the mind and will of God, concerning the salvation of men; into the grace of God, showing that salvation, in all its branches, is of pure grace; into the person and offices of Christ, and into the business of salvation through him; into the doctrines of peace, pardon, righteousness, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:13

Take fast hold - החזק hachazek , seize it strongly, and keep the hold; and do this as for life. Learn all thou canst, retain what thou hast learnt, and keep the reason continually in view - it is for thy life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-13

The tradition of piety The writer, here and in Proverbs 5:7 and Proverbs 7:24 , addresses his audience as children, thinking of himself as a son, who had been the object of fatherly counsels and warnings in his youth. He would hand on the torch of wisdom, the tradition of piety, to the next generation. I. PIETY SHOULD BE A FAMILY TRADITION . ( Proverbs 7:1-3 .) Handed down from father to son and grandson, or from mother to daughter and grandchild, from Lois to Eunice,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-13

The solicitude of the wise father: a sermon to parents and children In these verses we have a peep into the royal house at Jerusalem while David was on the throne. And we have such a glimpse as we should expect to gain. We see the devout man extremely solicitous that his son should walk in the ways of Divine and heavenly wisdom. David, like the rest of human parents, and more than most of them, was under— I. A STRONG TEMPTATION TO MAKE A FALSE ESTIMATE . So near to us is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

7. Seventh admonitory discourse. We here enter upon the second group of admonitory discourses, as is indicated by the opening address, "my children," and which occurs again in Proverbs 5:7 and Proverbs 7:24 . This group extends to the end of Proverbs 7:1-27 . Its prevailing tone is that of warning rather than of positive exhortations, which have been the rule hitherto. The general aim of the discourse before us, as of those preceding, is to exalt Wisdom, to exhibit her as a subject... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:13

The short but urgent admonitions in this verse may be explained by the knowledge which the father has of the temptations to which youth is exposed and the liability of youth to fall into them, as well as by the fact that Instruction, or Wisdom, is the bestower of life. This latter conviction is the reason why he urges "taking fast hold" of Wisdom. The tenacious grasp with which the shipwrecked sinking sailor lays hold on any spar or plank floating near will illustrate the kind of grasp with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:13

Holding fast I. THE NECESSITY OF HOLDING FAST . This is to be in regard to instruction in Divine wisdom. There are difficulties in keeping to the truth of God. 1 . The knowledge of it is an attainment. It is not innate; it does not come by inevitable experience; it is not received without conscious effort. What has been won may be lost. That which is not naturally a part of our being may be detached from us. 2 . The truth is spiritual. Therefore it belongs to a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 4:10-13

Proverbs 4:10-13. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings Diligently attend to and imbibe my instructions, as the earth drinks in the rain that drops upon it. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom Either, 1st, The way which procureth wisdom; or, 2d, Which wisdom directs thee to walk in. Thy steps shall not be straitened Thou shalt manage thine affairs with great facility, safety, and success. It is a metaphor taken from those who walk in a strait and uneven path, where they are apt to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

Wisdom the inner guide (4:1-27)The writer further instructs his ‘sons’ by passing on teaching that his own ‘father’ once gave him. The main point of that teaching was that, more than anything else, he was to get wisdom and insight (4:1-5). The first step in getting wisdom is the desire for it. Once obtained, wisdom will bring into the life of the possessor a new measure of security, honour and beauty (6-9).By living according to God’s wisdom, people will have true freedom, and at the same time... read more

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