1 The proverbs H4912 of Solomon H8010 the son H1121 of David, H1732 king H4428 of Israel; H3478
The proverbs H4912 of Solomon. H8010 A wise H2450 son H1121 maketh a glad H8055 father: H1 but a foolish H3684 son H1121 is the heaviness H8424 of his mother. H517
For he was wiser H2449 than all men; H120 than Ethan H387 the Ezrahite, H250 and Heman, H1968 and Chalcol, H3633 and Darda, H1862 the sons H1121 of Mahol: H4235 and his fame H8034 was in all nations H1471 round about. H5439 And he spake H1696 three H7969 thousand H505 proverbs: H4912 and his songs H7892 were a thousand H505 and five. H2568
And moreover, H3148 because the preacher H6953 was wise, H2450 he still taught H3925 the people H5971 knowledge; H1847 yea, he gave good heed, H239 and sought out, H2713 and set in order H8626 many H7235 proverbs. H4912
And David H1732 comforted H5162 Bathsheba H1339 his wife, H802 and went in H935 unto her, and lay H7901 with her: and she bare H3205 a son, H1121 and he called H7121 his name H8034 Solomon: H8010 and the LORD H3068 loved H157 him. And he sent H7971 by the hand H3027 of Nathan H5416 the prophet; H5030 and he called H7121 his name H8034 Jedidiah, H3041 because of the LORD. H3068
Behold, a son H1121 shall be born H3205 to thee, who shall be a man H376 of rest; H4496 and I will give him rest H5117 from all his enemies H341 round about: H5439 for his name H8034 shall be Solomon, H8010 and I will give H5414 peace H7965 and quietness H8253 unto Israel H3478 in his days. H3117
The words H1697 of the Preacher, H6953 the son H1121 of David, H1732 king H4428 in Jerusalem. H3389
These things G5023 have I spoken G2980 unto you G5213 in G1722 proverbs: G3942 but G235 the time G5610 cometh, G2064 when G3753 I shall G2980 no more G3765 speak G2980 unto you G5213 in G1722 proverbs, G3942 but G235 I shall shew G312 you G5213 plainly G3954 of G4012 the Father. G3962
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 1
Commentary on Proverbs 1 Matthew Henry Commentary
An Exposition, With Practical Observations, of
The Proverbs
Chapter 1
Those who read David's psalms, especially those towards the latter end, would be tempted to think that religion is all rapture and consists in nothing but the ecstasies and transports of devotion; and doubtless there is a time for them, and if there be a heaven upon earth it is in them: but, while we are on earth, we cannot be wholly taken up with them; we have a life to live in the flesh, must have a conversation in the world, and into that we must now be taught to carry our religion, which is a rational thing, and very serviceable to the government of human life, and tends as much to make us discreet as to make us devout, to make the face shine before men, in a prudent, honest, useful conversation, as to make the heart burn towards God in holy and pious affections. In this chapter we have,
Pro 1:1-6
We have here an introduction to this book, which some think was prefixed by the collector and publisher, as Ezra; but it is rather supposed to have been penned by Solomon himself, who, in the beginning of his book, proposes his end in writing it, that he might keep to his business, and closely pursue that end. We are here told,
Pro 1:7-9
Solomon, having undertaken to teach a young man knowledge and discretion, here lays down two general rules to be observed in order thereunto, and those are, to fear God and honour his parents, which two fundamental laws of morality Pythagoras begins his golden verses with, but the former of them in a wretchedly corrupted state. Primum, deos immortales cole, parentesque honora-First worship the immortal gods, and honour your parents. To make young people such as they should be,
Pro 1:10-19
Here Solomon gives another general rule to young people, in order to their finding out, and keeping in, the paths of wisdom, and that is to take heed of the snare of bad company. David's psalms begin with this caution, and so do Solomon's proverbs; for nothing is more destructive, both to a lively devotion and to a regular conversation (v. 10): "My son, whom I love, and have a tender concern for, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.' This is good advice for parents to give their children when they send them abroad into the world; it is the same that St. Peter gave to his new converts, (Acts 2:40), Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Observe,
Now, though Solomon specifies only the temptation to rob on the highway, yet he intends hereby to warn us against all other evils which sinners entice men to. Such are the ways of the drunkards and unclean; they are indulging themselves in those pleasures which tend to their ruin both here and for ever; and therefore consent not to them.
Pro 1:20-33
Solomon, having shown how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan, here shows how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God, which we shall for ever rue the neglect of. Observe,