Proverbs 1:8

COMMAND TO HEED PARENTAL INSTRUCTIONS

"My son, hear the instruction of thy father,

And forsake not the law of thy mother:

For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head,

And chains about thy neck."

Ephesians 6:1-4 incorporates this proverb into the gospel of the Son of God; and any society that tolerates and encourages the disrespectful and disobedient behavior of children toward their parents will invariably reap bitter fruits of it. The sacred promise of God himself to obedient children is length of life and a condition of well-being. Despite the fact that "Time and chance happen unto all men," many a man, including this writer, can bear witness of God's truth in these magnificent promises.

"A chaplet ... and chains about thy neck" (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, or the gold chain around the neck, worn by kings and their favorites (Genesis 41:42; Daniel 5:29)."[12] The meaning of this is that there is a loving grace that rests upon respectful and obedient children which is comparable to the highest honor that even kings may pay to their favorites.