Proverbs 3:1 ¶ My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Proverbs 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
This is the first of the many wisdom sayings, or proverbs, that compose this chapter. Solomon urges his son not to forget what he has taught him; the Hebrew implies that this teaching is from the first five books of the Bible and the ten commandments. He wants his son to memorize what he’s been taught and make it part of his being. If he will do this, it will contribute to his living a long and happy life.
Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Proverbs 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Mercy makes reference to kindness and good deeds. Truth references being trustworthy and faithful. Solomon tells his son to find strength in mercy and truth and make them part of his being. If he will do this, he will be respected for his wisdom and good sense both by God and man.
Guzik points out that Solomon is teaching principles from God’s word—not absolute promises. I understand why he says it, and I agree to an extent. I am sure we have all known those whom we considered to be godly people not live to a ripe old age. In our culture today, to follow God in faith and obedience does not always give one favor with man. This all happens under the permissive will of God for His own purposes which are often beyond our ability to understand.
Isaiah 55:8–9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
The following two verses, however, are promises you can take to the bank—though we might not always like God’s direction. Again, it is because His ways are often beyond our understanding. Whether principle or promise, it always benefits the child of God to live according to His will as recorded in His word—whether we fully understand the why and wherefores as they play out in life or not. The primary benefit is eternal in nature—not the here and now.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
These are powerful verses that I memorized as a young girl without fully comprehending their significance. It is important to understand the word trust. It includes the ability to take refuge in the LORD with confidence and without doubt. Solomon urges his son to trust in the LORD, the self-existent eternal God, with ALL his heart, a reference to his whole being, including his feelings, will and intellect. He should never rely on his own understanding apart from God. Solomon wants his son to consider and respect the LORD in how he chooses to live his life. If he will do this, the LORD will always lead him to do what is right and beneficial to him.
The advice is simple and straightforward, but oh so hard to follow. It means that we have to take self off the throne of our life and yield to God’s authority. Personally, I have a quick trigger. I walk fast, I think fast, I react fast; and that has led to many poor choices in life. Learning self-control to stop and think what Jesus would do or say has been a difficult journey for me. Thankfully, I have made great progress; but I still have a long way to go to become the person God would have me be. I truly want to do and say what Jesus would do or say in every circumstance. That is one reason I so long for Jesus to return and take us home. I so long for my new body with no taint of sin!
Chuck Smith: “How can I know the will of God? A question so often asked. Three steps. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Two: lean not to your own understanding. Three: in all your ways acknowledge Him. The result? He shall direct your path.”
Proverbs 3:7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Compliance with the counsel the father gives in this verse will naturally follow if the son heeds the counsel of the previous verses. He warns his son not to consider himself to be wise apart from a fear of the LORD and the determination to avoid evil of any kind. If he will heed this advice, he will be healthier and stronger—physically and spiritually.
Ironside: “It is impossible to have fellowship with God while walking in that which His word condemns. The path of blessing is the path of obedience. If He has spoken, the submissive soul will not stay to question but obey implicitly.”
Proverbs 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Proverbs 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
In these verses, the father encourages his son to honor the LORD with his tithes and offerings. If he will do this, he will be blessed with abundance. Reminder: This was an important part of temple worship and obedience to God in Israel.
I could not help but think of the words of Malachi as I read these verses.
Malachi 3:8–10 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Tithes and offerings were commanded by God under the old covenant. It is no longer a commandment under the new covenant; it is a privilege. God only wants what we cheerfully want to give to further the spread of the gospel and provide for the needs of the body of believers.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
It is important to note that the LORD attaches a blessing to one who gives. You can’t “outgive” God. He always responds by blessing us with far more than we give Him.
Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
This is another very important truth. Solomon tells his son not to despise the LORD’s rebuke, correction or instruction or let it grieve him. Why? The LORD corrects us because He loves us, just like every father that loves his son. So, the life of one that is striving to follow God will not always be a bed of roses, in part because of God’s loving chastening.
The writer to the Hebrews provides some more insight on these verses.
Hebrews 12:7–10 “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”
I have often told my children and grandchildren that if I didn’t love you, I would just let you have your own way and suffer the consequences. Though I have always tried to do what is best for my children, I’ve made many mistakes and bad choices along the way. The LORD never makes mistakes. He is never affected by cultural norms or expectations. He never gets tired or frustrated to the point that he has a lapse in judgment. He always does what is best for us.
I thought it was interesting to note that the Hebrew included no reference to punishment with regard to chastening. It is all about warning, instruction, correction and discipline.
Proverbs 3:13 ¶ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Proverbs 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Proverbs 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Proverbs 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Solomon wants his son to understand that the man who finds wisdom and understanding is a blessed man. He then proceeds to expound on that truth.
It profits you more than silver or gold.
It is more valuable than precious gems or anything else you might desire.
It contributes to a long life.
It contributes to prosperity and respect from others.
It leads you in ways that contribute to your delight in life and safe welfare.
It contributes to life and happiness.
Proverbs 3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
Proverbs 3:20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Solomon is basically telling his son that creation was an outworking of the wisdom of YHWH. It was His wisdom that established the foundation that supports life on earth and ordered the heavens to function according to His laws. It was His skill and understanding that established the water cycle, breaking up the depths of the seas and bringing down dew from the clouds of heaven.
I am reminded of the words of Solomon’s father, King David. The heavens give evidence of a great Creator and Designer.
Psalm 19:1–3 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.”
Guzik listed some interesting examples of this truth.
“The universe has a just-right gravitational force. If it were larger, the stars would be too hot and would burn up too quickly and too unevenly to support life. If it was smaller, the stars would remain so cool, nuclear fusion would never ignite, and there would be no heat and light.
The universe has a just-right speed of light. If it were larger, stars would send out too much light. If it were smaller, stars would not send out enough light.
The universe has a just-right average distance between the stars. If it were larger, the heavy element density would be too thin for rocky planets to form, and there would only be gaseous planets. If it were smaller, planetary orbits would become destabilized because of the gravitational pull from other stars.”
Proverbs 3:21 ¶ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Proverbs 3:22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
Proverbs 3:23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
I think that Solomon is referencing his counsel in the opening verses of this chapter. Wisdom and discernment are rooted in God’s word. Godly wisdom and discernment contribute to a good life that includes honor, respect and safety. They keep you from making choices that will harm you. You will be able to go to sleep peacefully and enjoy the sweet dreams of a clear conscience.
Proverbs 3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
Proverbs 3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Life is full of the unexpected—both good and bad. Solomon tells his son not to be afraid when bad things happen, which most often happens as a result of the actions of evil men. He tells him to keep trusting the LORD because He will protect him.
Proverbs 3:27 ¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Proverbs 3:28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
Solomon counsels his son to always do good for others as godly morals dictate when you possess the ability to do so. Example, you shouldn’t send your neighbor away without provision if you have the means to help him. It was interesting to note that the Hebrew for “neighbor” made reference to one of close association (e.g., brother, companion, friend, husband, etc).
James, the brother of Jesus, stated this principle in even stronger terms.
James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Proverbs 3:29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
Proverbs 3:30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Many of the proverbs seem unnecessary for one who is seeking wisdom through the fear of the LORD. Sadly, because of our sin nature, we are in need of continued exhortation to do good and avoid evil—even when we are trying to live a life honoring to the LORD.
Solomon warns his son against plotting any type of evil against one who is living without fear of harm from him. He shouldn’t take advantage of their confidence to do evil. You should not create discord with someone who has done you no wrong.
Sadly, the truth is that many have suffered abuse at the hands of those professing to be followers of God, to be Christians—sometimes to an extreme degree of evil. I think of children in particular who have suffered the abuse of those in spiritual authority over them. Oh how that grieves the heart of God!
Proverbs 3:31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Proverbs 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
Proverbs 3:33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
The father goes on to warn his son against envy of those in a position to take advantage of others; be careful not to pattern your life after them in any aspect. Even in Solomon’s day, it was natural to envy those with power and influence, even if obtained by abusing people through deceit or unscrupulous practices. This type of man is froward, perverse; he has chosen to reject what is right according to God’s law. The LORD looks on this type of man with disgust.
On the other hand, the LORD gives the righteous man understanding and wisdom.
The LORD’s curse is on the wicked, as surely as He blesses one who is righteous. He shows scorn to those who would scorn others, but He shows kindness to those who are humble. He will honor the wise and put fools to shame.
Things on this earth don’t always seem to reflect the truths expounded in scripture. I am reminded of how Asaph struggled with understanding how God could allow evil men to prosper.
Psalm 73:2-3 “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
This is hard to understand from an earthly perspective. Asaph finally gained some understanding when he saw things from a spiritual perspective.
Psalm 73:16–18 & 21 “When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction….Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.”
We need to remember that the LORD is always working with and through those that follow Him in faith and obedience in light of eternity—not just the here and now.
Proverbs 4:1 ¶ Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Proverbs 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Proverbs 4:3 For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
Proverbs 4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
With this verse, we notice that Solomon expands his address to his children. Maybe he has been speaking to a group of sons all along and uses the word “son” to make it personal to each one.
Solomon continues to urge them to listen carefully with the intent to obey what he is teaching them. He wants them to truly understand how important it is. He tells them that he was the beloved child of his mother and that his father (King David) had taught him just as he is teaching them. His father also urged him to take to heart his teaching and live according to his commands (and we know those commands were rooted in the law of God).
Note: We know that Bathsheba had four sons, even though the wording implies that Solomon is the only child of his mother. I think the significance is that Solomon was her first and the chosen heir to the throne.
1 Chronicles 3:1&5 “Now these were the sons of David….these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel….”
I’ve always considered David a negligent father regarding the spiritual training of his children in light of his response to their actions as recorded in scripture, e.g., Amnon and Absalom). Solomon tells us that at least as far as he was concerned, David took the time to instruct his son about the word of God and the importance of obedience to God’s will.
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Proverbs 4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Proverbs 4:9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Again, wisdom and understanding are identified as most important to living a good, profitable life. Those who determine to make wise choices effectively protect themselves from the consequences of straying outside God’s protective boundaries. Those who are wise will bring honor to themselves—always before God, even if mocked by men.
Chuck Smith: “Now you know, there are certain people who have a lot of knowledge but they’re fools. They don"t know how to use their knowledge. They don’t have wisdom. If there is to be a choice made between wisdom and knowledge, it’s better to choose wisdom. It’s like the mother who told her child, ‘Honey, when you don’t got an education, you got to use your brains.’ And wisdom is really preferable to knowledge. For unless you have wisdom, knowledge can be dangerous. Knowledge can destroy. Wisdom is the principal thing, which is actually the correct application of knowledge. “
Proverbs 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
Proverbs 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
Proverbs 4:12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
Proverbs 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
Solomon continues to urge his son to embrace the truths he is teaching; they will lead to length of life. He has taught him wisdom that will lead him to make the right choices if he will but heed what he has been taught. Solomon tells his son that wise choices will provide firm a firm foundation that will allow him to navigate life safely. However, this teaching will be worthless unless he determines to live by what he has been taught.
Proverbs 4:14 ¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Proverbs 4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
Proverbs 4:16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
Proverbs 4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
As in previous chapters, Solomon warns his son not to follow the ways of evil men. He should actively avoid those connections and turn away when tempted to follow the wrong path. He warns him that those who choose to do evil become obsessed with their sin. It even invades their sleep as they plot and plan more evil; it is what fuels them.
Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
Solomon phrases his summary as a proverb. My paraphrase: Those who live a moral life walk in a shining light that grows ever brighter, ensuring their safety. Those who live wicked lives walk in darkness and don’t even recognize the danger in front of them.
Proverbs 4:20 ¶ My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Proverbs 4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
Proverbs 4:22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Solomon continues to urge his son to pay careful attention to what he is teaching him, hoping the repetition conveys the importance of what he is saying. It would seem he is encouraging his son to read the record he is making for his instruction and to hide its truths in his heart, to memorize them. To be careful to follow his father’s teaching will promote a healthy, wholesome life.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Beginning with this verse, Solomon words some truths in a form more easily memorized.
The “heart” references one’s whole being—feelings, will and intellect. “Issues” references what goes forth or flows out of one’s life. Solomon is urging his son to guard his heart carefully because that determines what flows out of one’s life—righteousness or evil.
Proverbs 4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
“Froward” and “perverse” are synonyms; they represent choosing what is wrong. Solomon tells his son to be honest and tell the truth, to be a man of integrity, to distance himself from that which is false and wicked.
Ironside: “The mouth and heart are intimately connected for out of the heart’s abundance the mouth speaks. A perverse mouth indicates one who is not in subjection to God. When God’s Word has its place in the soul, the lips reveal it.”
Matthew 12:34 “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
Proverbs 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Proverbs 4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
The chapter closes with Solomon warning his son to keep his eyes wide open and be aware of where he is going as he makes choices about the direction he will go. To “ponder” is to weigh mentally. Solomon tells his son to carefully consider each choice and make decisions using the wisdom he has learned from the firm foundation established on the teaching he has received. He urges him to maintain a straight course of wise choices without deviating at all in another direction. This warning finds root in other scripture.
Deuteronomy 5:32 “Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”
Deuteronomy 28:14 “And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.”
Joshua 1:7 “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.”
Ironside: “The eye should be fixed on the goal, looking straight ahead. For us, this goal is Christ. The plowman cuts a straight furrow when his eye is on a distant point directly before him. In the same way the Christian’s path will be true when the eye of the heart is fixed on the Lord Jesus in glory. But this involves earnestly establishing one’s ways in accordance with the truth.”