Proverbs 4:10

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 4:10

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings ,.... Some think David is still speaking to his son Solomon, or Solomon continues relating what his father said to him; though I rather think these are Solomon's words to his son, to everyone of his children that came to him for instruction, or he took upon him to teach; whom he advises to listen to what he had further to say, and to embrace, and not reject, his doctrines; and the years of thy life shall be many ; see Proverbs 3:1 ; long life... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:10

The years of thy life shall be many - Vice and intemperance impair the health and shorten the days of the wicked; while true religion, sobriety, and temperance, prolong them. The principal part of our diseases springs from "indolence, intemperance, and disorderly passions." Religion excites to industry, promotes sober habits, and destroys evil passions, and harmonizes the soul; and thus, by preventing many diseases, necessarily prolongs 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 4:10

Many commentators, e.g. Jerome, Bede, Ewald, Bertheau, and Hitzig, suppose that the father's instruction closes in the preceding verse, but it seems more appropriate to consider the father as here passing to another branch of his instruction, which is to point out the way of wisdom, and so to prepare for his warnings which follow from Proverbs 4:14 to Proverbs 4:19 . Receive ; kakh, from lakah, "to receive" (on the force of this verb, see Proverbs 1:3 ). He who shows a delighter... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 4:10

my son. See note on Proverbs 1:8 . sayings. Hebrew. imrah. See App-73 . the years of thy life shall be many = [my sayings] shall grow greater [through] the years of thy life. The verb denotes increase of size, not merely numbers. See notes on Proverbs 3:2 , Proverbs 3:16 ; Proverbs 10:27 . The verb here is masculine, but "years of life" is feminine. The verb therefore refers to "sayings". read more

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