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Solomon’s Instructions to His Son
Scripture Passage:
Proverbs 3:1-35 INTRODUCTION: In this chapter, Solomon addresses “My son” three times (Proverbs 3:1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
See All..., 11, 21). The chapter gives various instructions, but also spends much time declaring the benefits of obeying this instruction. Solomon is trying to convince his son of the value of wisdom. We all need the teaching of this chapter.
- INSTRUCTIONS CONCERING THE LORD (Proverbs 3:1-12 [1] My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
[2] For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
[3] Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
[4] So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
[5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
[6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
[7] Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
[8] It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
[9] Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
[10] So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
[11] My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
[12] For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
See All...) - Forget Not the Law (Proverbs 3:1-4 [1] My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
[2] For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
[3] Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
[4] So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
See All...) - Keep the commandments with your heart (Proverbs 3:1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
See All...) - Appreciate the benefits of obedience (Proverbs 3:2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
See All...) - Length of days: days full of good and profit (Psalm 90:10The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
See All...) - Long life
- Peace
- Keep the commandments in your heart (Proverbs 3:3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
See All...) - Let not mercy and truth forsake you
- Bind them about your neck
- Write them on the table of your heart: refers to memorizing the word of the Lord
- Appreciate the benefits of memorizing and keeping the commandments (Proverbs 3:4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
See All...) - Favor in the sight of God
- Favor in the sight of men
- Good understanding in the sight of God
- Good understanding in the sight of men
- Trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6 [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
[6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
See All...) - Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
See All...) - Do not trust in your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
See All...) - Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways (Proverbs 3:6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
See All...) - Trust in the Lord to direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
See All...) - Fear the Lord (Proverbs 3:7-8 [7] Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
[8] It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
See All...) - The instruction (Proverbs 3:7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
See All...) - Be not wise in your own eyes (Proverbs 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
See All...) - Fear the Lord
- Depart from evil
- The benefits (Proverbs 3:8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
See All...) - Honor the Lord (Proverbs 3:9-10 [9] Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
[10] So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
See All...) - The instruction (Proverbs 3:9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
See All...) - Honor the Lord with your substance
- Give Him the firstfruits of your increase
- The benefits (Proverbs 3:10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
See All...) - Despise Not Chastening (Proverbs 3:11-12 [11] My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
[12] For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
See All...) - The instruction (Proverbs 3:11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
See All...) - Despise not the chastening of the Lord
- Do not be weary of His correction
- The benefits (Proverbs 3:12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
See All...) - God’s correction is proof of His love
- God’s correction is proof of our sonship
- INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING WISDOM (Proverbs 3:13-26 [13] Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
[14] For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
[15] She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
[16] Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
[17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
[18] She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
[19] The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
[20] By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
[21] My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
[22] So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
[23] Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
[24] When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
[25] Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
[26] For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
See All...) - Seek Wisdom (Proverbs 3:13-18 [13] Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
[14] For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
[15] She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
[16] Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
[17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
[18] She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
See All...) - Wisdom brings happiness (Proverbs 3:13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
See All...); the world tells us that we can find happiness by seeking it; God tells us that happiness can be found only by those who, instead of seeking it, seek and find wisdom. - Wisdom has great value (Proverbs 3:14-15 [14] For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
[15] She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
See All...) - More valuable than silver and gold (Proverbs 3:14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
See All...) - More valuable than rubies (Proverbs 3:15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
See All...) - More valuable than all the things you can desire (Proverbs 3:15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
See All...) - Wisdom brings great blessings (Proverbs 3:16-18 [16] Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
[17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
[18] She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
See All...) - Length of days (Proverbs 3:16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
See All...) - Riches (Proverbs 3:16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
See All...) - Honor (Proverbs 3:16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
See All...) - Pleasantness (Proverbs 3:17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
See All...) - Peace (Proverbs 3:17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
See All...) - A tree of life (Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
See All...) - Happiness (Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
See All...) - Respect Wisdom (Proverbs 3:19-20 [19] The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
[20] By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
See All...) - By it the Lord founded the earth (Proverbs 3:19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
See All...) - By it the Lord established the heavens (Proverbs 3:19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
See All...) - By it the Lord breaks up the depths (Proverbs 3:20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
See All...) - By it the clouds drop down the dew (Proverbs 3:20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
See All...) - Keep Wisdom (Proverbs 3:21-26 [21] My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
[22] So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
[23] Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
[24] When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
[25] Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
[26] For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
See All...) - Do not allow wisdom to depart from you (Proverbs 3:21My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
See All...) - Appreciate the benefits of keeping wisdom (Proverbs 3:22-24 [22] So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
[23] Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
[24] When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
See All...) - Life to your soul (Proverbs 3:22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
See All...) - Grace to your neck (Proverbs 3:22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
See All...) - Safety in your walk (Proverbs 3:23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
See All...) - Sweet sleep in the night (Proverbs 3:24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
See All...) - Wisdom removes the fear of tomorrow (Proverbs 3:25-26 [25] Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
[26] For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
See All...) - It removes the dread of sudden fear (Proverbs 3:25Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
See All...) - It builds its confidence in the Lord (Proverbs 3:26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
See All...) - INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING OTHERS (Proverbs 3:27-35 [27] Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
[28] Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
[29] Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
[30] Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
[31] Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
[32] For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
[33] The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
[34] Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
[35] The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
See All...) - Give Good to Whom It is Due (Proverbs 3:27-28 [27] Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
[28] Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
See All...) - Withhold not good to whom it is due (Proverbs 3:27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
See All...) - Withhold not good that you have to give (Proverbs 3:28Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
See All...) - Withhold Evil From the Innocent (Proverbs 3:29-30 [29] Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
[30] Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
See All...) - Devise not evil against your neighbor (Proverbs 3:29Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
See All...) - Strive not with a man without cause (Proverbs 3:30Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
See All...) - Withhold Envy From the Wicked (Proverbs 3:31-32 [31] Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
[32] For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
See All...) - Do not envy the oppressor (Proverbs 3:31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
See All...) - Do not choose his ways (Proverbs 3:31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
See All...) - Understand the working of the Lord (Proverbs 3:32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
See All...) - The forward (the willfully stubborn) are an abomination to Him
- The righteous are given the secrets of the Lord
- Trust God to Make Things Right (Proverbs 3:33-35 [33] The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
[34] Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
[35] The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
See All...) - God will reward the wicked and the just (Proverbs 3:33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
See All...) - God will scorn the scorners and give grace to the lowly (Proverbs 3:34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
See All...) - The wise will receive glory and fools will receive shame (Proverbs 3:35The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
See All...)
Proverbs 28:15
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.