Proverbs 4:4-13

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 4:4

He taught me also, and said unto me ,.... The Targum is, "they taught me,' his father and his mother; and so the Septuagint version, "who said and taught me;' and the Arabic version, "they both taught me, and said unto me;' but in the Hebrew it is singular, and is restrained to the father. He taught him when he was very young, and also gave him instructions when he was older, and a little before his own death; see 1 Chronicles 28:8 ; he taught him by the several psalms he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:5

Get wisdom, get understanding ,.... Not only moral and political wisdom and understanding, but that which is spiritual and evangelical; Christ, and the knowledge of him; he being the only happy man that has an interest in him, and is possessed of him by faith, which is the meaning of getting him; See Gill on Proverbs 3:13 ; by which it appears, that what Solomon had before delivered, and afterwards repeats and urges, was the same his father David, that wise, great, and good man, taught... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:6

Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee ,.... That is, Wisdom, or Christ. Men may be said to forsake Christ when they forsake the assembly of his church and people, which are his other self; when they forsake his ministers, his ambassadors, and representatives; when they forsake his word and ordinances; when they drop the doctrines of the Gospel, or depart from them; when they quit the profession they have formerly made. Nominal believers and formal professors may forsake him finally... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is the principal thing ,.... Or principal, one; the principal of persons and things; the principal of persons, angels or men: Christ is superior to angels, having a more excellent name and nature than they; he is the God, the Creator, and head of them, and is above them in the human nature; he is superior to men, to the greatest of men, he is King of kings and Lord of lords, and to the best of men the saints. Are they kings? he is their King: are they priests? he is the great High... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:8

Exalt her, and she shall promote thee ,.... Christ is to be exalted in his person, by asserting his proper deity; by ascribing all divine perfections to him; by allowing him to be the author of all divine works; by giving him divine worship and homage; by owning his divine and eternal sonship, and distinct personality: he is to be exalted in all his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, and as the only Redeemer and Saviour; by trusting in him, embracing his Gospel, and submitting to his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:9

She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace ,.... This, and the following clause, explain what that honour is Christ promotes and brings his followers to here and hereafter: he gives them grace and more grace; "an increase of grace", so the Vulgate Latin version renders it; and some think James refers to this passage, Proverbs 4:6 . The grace that Christ gives is very ornamental to his people: justifying grace greatly beautifies and adorns them; it not only covers the nakedness of... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:11

I have taught thee in the way of wisdom ,.... In the way that leads to it, or is concerning it; in the Gospel, which is the wisdom of God in a mystery, the manifold wisdom of God, and which directs to Christ and the knowledge of him, who is true wisdom; this is another reason or argument why the wise man's instructions should be attended to; I have led thee in right paths ; in paths of righteousness, holiness, and truth; in such as are agreeable to the will and word of God, and which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:12

When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened ,.... By enemies, or attended with difficulties and obstructions, or subject to dangers, but be at freedom and liberty in walking; for though saints do not walk in the broad road with sinners, yet they are brought into a large place, and their steps are enlarged under them, and their hearts are enlarged to run the way of God's commandments; and a wide field of truth and duty such have to walk in, who are taught and led in the ways of wisdom... read more

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