Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible · Proverbs Capítulo 4

Proverbs 4:1. Hear, ye children— Solomon here proposes himself as an example of docility; but in such a manner, that he refers all the advantages of his education to the early impressions which he received from his father and his mother under the blessing of Divine wisdom. He makes this appear by all his attachment; tender and respectful as it was, and by his sincere regard to his parents, particularly to his mother, to whose eulogy he has consecrated almost the whole 31st chapter. The principal instructions in the present chapter are these; that parents ought to take the utmost care to instruct their children diligently, and the higher their station the more accurate should their education be. Above all things, the excellence of wisdom, holiness, and virtue, is to be inculcated. See on Proverbs 4:7. Next to this they are to be cautioned against evil company, as the bane of youth; the wretchedness of their life who live wickedly, and the happiness, comfort, and satisfaction, of theirs who live piously and virtuously, are to be represented, Proverbs 4:14-19. Next they are to be taught how necessary it is to be constant in reading good books, especially the scriptures, Pro 4:21 and to have an upright heart, sincerely disposed to follow such directions. Watchfulness also over the senses is commanded, as necessary to preserve the affections from being corrupted.

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Proverbs 4:3. For I was my father's son, &c.— Literally, I was a tender and delicate child, and the only son of my mother. The word, only son, in this place may be taken in the sense in which the LXX have translated it, and which we have followed. Greek and Latin authors often express by this epithet an only son or a first-born. Houbigant renders the verse, For I was the principal son of my father, the only-beloved of my mother.

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Proverbs 4:7. Wisdom is the principal thing— "As there is no thing comparable to wisdom; so the first step to it is, to know as much, and to prize it accordingly. Begin therefore to be wise, by looking upon the fear of God as above all earthly possessions; and by being willing, if it were necessary, to give all thou art worth to know what is pleasing to him." The reader will find a good comment on this verse in the Book of Wisdom, chap. Proverbs 6:12-17.

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Proverbs 4:18. But the path of the just is as the shining light— The presence of the just enlightens, instructs, edifies, rejoices: they carry light into every place by their example, and by their instructions. And they grow more and more in knowledge, grace, and consolation, until all be perfected and swallowed up in glory. The wicked, on the contrary, are always in darkness, Proverbs 4:19. The former are the children of light of whom the gospel speaks; the other are the children of darkness, who know not against what they are about to stumble. They commit sin without scruple; they deliver themselves up to it without remorse; they fall without grief, and they continue in it without repentance.

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Proverbs 4:23. Keep thy heart with all diligence— Above all keeping keep thy heart. Schultens. The life and death of the soul proceed from the heart: an upright, clear, enlightened, watchful heart gives life; a heart corrupted, dissipated, without knowledge, without wisdom, brings death: from the heart proceeds all evil. See Matthew 11:18-19. Guard it therefore most carefully; with all kind of diligence, and above all other cares: guard it from evil thoughts and evil desires: for if you have evil desires, it is impossible for you to refrain from evil actions. Your heart, corrupted as it is, will cause your destruction, if you do not employ all your care, in dependence on the blessing of God, to guard it well; to observe its motions, to regulate its inclinations, to repress its sallies.

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Proverbs 4:25. Let thine eyes look right on— This advice principally regards the conduct of manners. "Apply yourself to yourself, to your own proper conduct, to the direction of your own ways: carry not your eyes, your attention, to things which are foreign to you, to the persons and the affairs of others: For the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth." See chap. Proverbs 17:24.

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