Proverbs 4:13-14

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 4:14-19

Some make David's instructions to Solomon, which began Prov. 4:4; to continue to the end of the chapter; nay, some continue them to the end of the ninth chapter; but it is more probable that Solomon begins here again, if not sooner. In these verses, having exhorted us to walk in the paths of wisdom, he cautions us against the path of the wicked. 1. We must take heed of the ways of sin and avoid them, every thing that looks like sin and leads to it. 2. In order to this we must keep out of the... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:14

Enter not into the path of the wicked ,.... Which leads to eternal death; join not with them in their wicked ways and practices; have no fellowship, keep no company, with them; do not set one foot in the path they tread, lest thou shouldest be tempted to proceed to more ungodliness; you do not know where and when there will be a stop, when once you begin, therefore enter not. The Vulgate Latin version is, "do not delight in the paths of the ungodly": but this supposes not only entrance, but... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:14

Enter not into the path of the wicked - Never associate with those whose life is irregular and sinful; never accompany them in any of their acts of transgression. 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

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