Proverbs Chapter 4

“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, etc.] Either of God their father, as Gersom interprets it; or rather of Solomon their father: and so he recommends his instruction from the relation he stood in to them; for, since he was their father, he would give them no bad instruction; and, since they were his children, they ought to receive it: by whom are meant, not his children in a natural sense, or the children of his body; but his disciples, such who applied to him for knowledge, and whom he undertook to learn; and attend to know understanding; what would serve to enlighten, enlarge, improve, and inform…”

“To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness. (Pro. 4:1-27) (Compare Pro 1:8). to know--in order to know. doctrine--the matter of learning (Pro 1:5), such as he had received (Lam 3:1).”

“The words “ye children” indicate as usual a new section returning, after the break of Proverbs 3:27-35, to the old strain of fatherly counsel. return to 'Top of Page'”

“A father - Of me, who have paternal authority over you and affection for you. Proverbs 4:3”

“4:1 Discourses in chs 1–9 often begin with the call to listen (cp. 1:8, 23; 2:1; 4:20-21; 5:1-2; 6:20-23; 7:1-3). • when your father corrects you: The children have reason to listen, because they have made mistakes.”

“ye: Pro 1:8, Pro 6:20-23; Psa 34:11; Th1 2:11, Th1 2:12 attend: Pro 2:1-5, Pro 5:1, Pro 7:4, Pro 8:32-36, Pro 19:20, Pro 22:17; Heb 2:1 Proverbs 4:2”

“He now confirms and explains the command to duty which he has placed at the beginning of the whole ( Pro 1:8). This he does by his own example, for he relates from the history of his own youth, to the circle of disciples by whom he sees himself surrounded, what good doctrine his parents had taught him regarding the way of life: 1 Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And attend that ye may gain understanding; 2 For I give to you good doctrine, Forsake not my direction! 3 For I was a son to my father, A tender and only (son) in the sight of my mother. 4 And he instructed me, and said to me: "Let thine heart…”