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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>P R O V E R B S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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When the things of God are to be taught precept must be upon precept,
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and line upon line, not only because the things themselves are of great
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worth and weight, but because men's minds, at the best, are unapt to
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admit them and commonly prejudiced against them; and therefore Solomon,
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in this chapter, with a great variety of expression and a pleasant
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powerful flood of divine eloquence, inculcates the same things that he
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had pressed upon us in the foregoing chapters. Here is,
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I. An earnest exhortation to the study of wisdom, that is, of true
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religion and godliness, borrowed from the good instructions which his
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father gave him, and enforced with many considerable arguments,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:1-13">ver. 1-13</A>.
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II. A necessary caution against bad company and all fellowship with the
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unfruitful works of darkness,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:14-19">ver. 14-19</A>.
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III. Particular directions for the attaining and preserving of wisdom,
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and bringing forth the fruits of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:20-27">ver. 20-27</A>.
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So plainly, so pressingly, is the case laid before us, that we shall be
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for ever inexcusable if we perish in our folly.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Pr4_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Parental Instructions.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to
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know understanding.
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2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
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3 For I was my father's son, tender and only <I>beloved</I> in the
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sight of my mother.
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4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain
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my words: keep my commandments, and live.
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5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget <I>it</I> not; neither
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decline from the words of my mouth.
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6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and
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she shall keep thee.
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7 Wisdom <I>is</I> the principal thing; <I>therefore</I> get wisdom: and
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with all thy getting get understanding.
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8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee
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to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
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9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of
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glory shall she deliver to thee.
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10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy
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life shall be many.
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11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in
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right paths.
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12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when
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thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
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13 Take fast hold of instruction; let <I>her</I> not go: keep her;
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for she <I>is</I> thy life.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The invitation which Solomon gives to his children to come and
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receive instruction from him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>):
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<I>Hear, you children, the instruction of a father.</I> That is,
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1. "Let my own children, in the first place, receive and give good
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heed to those instructions which I set down for the use of others
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also." Note, Magistrates and ministers, who are entrusted with the
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direction of larger societies, are concerned to take a more than
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ordinary care for the good instruction of their own families; from this
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duty their public work will by no means excuse them. This charity must
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begin at home, though it must not end there; for he that has not his
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children in subjection with all gravity, and does not take pains in
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their good education, how shall he do his duty as he ought <I>to the
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church of God?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:4,5">1 Tim. iii. 4, 5</A>.
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The children of those that are eminent for wisdom and public usefulness
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ought to improve in knowledge and grace in proportion to the advantages
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they derive from their relation to such parents. Yet it may be
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observed, to save both the credit and the comfort of those parents
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whose children do not answer the hopes that arose from their education,
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that Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was far from being either one of the
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wisest or one of the best. We have reason to think that thousands have
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got more good by Solomon's proverbs than his own son did, to whom they
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seem to have been dedicated.
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2. Let all young people, in the days of their childhood and youth, take
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pains to get knowledge and grace, for that is their learning age, and
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then their minds are formed and seasoned. He does not say, <I>My</I>
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children, but <I>You</I> children. We read but of one son that Solomon
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had of his own; but (would you think it?) he is willing to set up for a
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schoolmaster, and to teach other people's children! for at that age
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there is most hope of success; the branch is easily bent when it is
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young and tender.
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3. Let all that would receive instruction come with the disposition of
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children, though they be grown persons. Let all prejudices be laid
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aside, and the mind be as white paper. let them be dutiful, tractable,
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and self-diffident, and take the word as the word of a father, which
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comes both with authority and with affection. We must see it coming
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from God as <I>our Father in heaven,</I> to whom we pray, from whom we
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expect blessings, the Father of our spirits, to whom we ought to be in
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subjection, that we may live. We must look upon our teachers as our
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fathers, who love us and seek our welfare; and therefore though the
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instruction carry in it reproof and correction, for so the word
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signifies, yet we must bid it welcome. Now,
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(1.) To recommend it to us, we are told, not only that it is the
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<I>instruction of a father,</I> but that it is <I>understanding,</I>
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and therefore should be welcome to intelligent creatures. Religion has
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reason on its side, and we are taught it by fair reasoning. It is a law
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indeed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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but that law is founded upon doctrine, upon unquestionable principles
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of truth, upon <I>good doctrine,</I> which is not only faithful, but
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worthy of all acceptation. If we admit the doctrine, we cannot but
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submit to the law.
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(2.) To rivet it in us, we are directed to receive it as a gift, to
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attend to it with all diligence, to attend so as to know it, for
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otherwise we cannot do it, and not to forsake it by disowning the
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doctrine or disobeying the law.</P>
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<P>
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II. The instructions he gives them. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. How he came by these instructions; he had them from his parents, and
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teaches his children the same that they taught him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
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Observe,
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(1.) His parents loved him, and therefore taught him: <I>I was my
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father's son.</I> David had many sons, but Solomon was his son
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<I>indeed,</I> as Isaac is called
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+17:19">Gen. xvii. 19</A>)
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and for the same reason, because on him the covenant was entailed. He
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was his father's darling, above any of his children. God had a special
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kindness for Solomon (the prophet called him <I>Jedidiah,</I> because
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the Lord loved him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+12:25">2 Sam. xii. 25</A>),
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and for that reason David had a special kindness for him, for he was a
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man after God's own heart. If parents may ever love one child better
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than another, it must not be till it plainly appears that God does so.
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He was <I>tender, and only beloved, in the sight of his mother.</I>
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Surely there was a manifest reason for making such a distinction when
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both the parents made it. Now we see how they showed their love; they
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catechised him, kept him to his book, and held him to a strict
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discipline. Though he was a prince, and heir-apparent to the crown, yet
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they did not let him live at large; nay, therefore they tutored him
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thus. And perhaps David was the more strict with Solomon in his
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education because he had seen the ill effects of an undue indulgence in
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Adonijah, whom he had not <I>crossed in any thing</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:6">1 Kings i. 6</A>),
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as also in Absalom.
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(2.) What his parents taught him he teaches others. Observe,
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[1.] When Solomon was grown up he not only remembered, but took a
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pleasure in repeating, the good lessons his parents taught him when he
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was a child. He did not forget them, so deep were the impressions they
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made upon him. He was not ashamed of them, such a high value had he for
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them, nor did he look upon them as the childish things, the mean
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things, which, when he became a man, a king, he should put away, as a
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disparagement to him; much less did he repeat them: as some wicked
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children have done, to ridicule them, and make his companions merry
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with them, priding himself that he had got clear from grave lessons and
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restraints.
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[2.] Though Solomon was a wise man himself, and divinely inspired, yet,
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when he was to teach wisdom, he did not think it below him to quote his
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father and to make use of his words. Those that would learn well, and
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teach well, in religion, must not affect new-found notions and
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new-coined phrases, so as to look with contempt upon the knowledge and
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language of their predecessors; if we must keep to the good old way,
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why should we scorn the good old words?
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+6:16">Jer. vi. 16</A>.
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[3.] Solomon, having been well educated by his parents, thought himself
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thereby obliged to give his children a good education, the same that
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his parents had given him; and this is one way in which we must requite
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our parents for the pains they took with us, even by showing piety at
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home,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:4">1 Tim. v. 4</A>.
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They taught us, not only that we might learn ourselves, but that we
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might teach our children, the good knowledge of God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+78:6">Ps. lxxviii. 6</A>.
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And we are false to a trust if we do not; for the sacred deposit of
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religious doctrine and law was lodged in our hands with a charge to
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transmit it pure and entire to those that shall <I>come after us,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:2">2 Tim. ii. 2</A>.
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[4.] Solomon enforces his exhortations with the authority of his father
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David, a man famous in his generation upon all accounts. Be it taken
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notice of, to the honour of religion, that the wisest and best men in
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every age have been most zealous, not only for the practice of it
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themselves, but for the propagating of it to others; and we should
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therefore <I>continue in the things which we have learned, knowing of
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whom we have learned them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:14">2 Tim. iii. 14</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. What these instructions were,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:4-13"><I>v.</I> 4-13</A>.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) By way of precept and exhortation. David, in teaching his son,
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though he was a child of great capacity and quick apprehension, yet to
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show that he was in good earnest, and to affect his child the more with
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what he said, expressed himself with great warmth and importunity, and
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inculcated the same thing again and again. So children must be taught.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+6:7">Deut. vi. 7</A>,
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<I>Thou shalt whet them diligently upon thy children.</I> David, though
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he was a man of public business, and had tutors for his son, took all
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this pains with him himself.</P>
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<P>
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[1.] He recommends to him his Bible and his catechism, as the means,
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his father's <I>words</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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the <I>words of his mouth</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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his <I>sayings</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
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all the good lessons he had taught him; and perhaps he means
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particularly the book of Psalms, many of which were <I>Maschils--psalms
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of instruction,</I> and two of them are expressly said to be <I>for
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Solomon.</I> These, and all his other words, Solomon must have an eye
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to. <I>First,</I> He must <I>hear and receive them</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
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diligently attend to them, and imbibe them, <I>as the earth drinks in
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the rain that comes often upon it,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:7">Heb. vi. 7</A>.
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God thus bespeaks our attention to his word: <I>Hear, O my son! and
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receive my sayings. Secondly,</I> He must <I>hold fast the form of
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sound words</I> which his father gave him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>Let thy heart retain my words;</I> and except the word be hid in the
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heart, lodged in the will and affections, it will not be retained.
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<I>Thirdly,</I> He must govern himself by them: <I>Keep my
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commandments,</I> obey them, and that is the way to increase in the
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knowledge of them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+7:17">John vii. 17</A>.
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<I>Fourthly,</I> He must stick to them and abide by them: "<I>Decline
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not from the words of my mouth</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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as fearing they will be too great a check upon thee, but <I>take fast
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hold of instruction</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
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as being resolved to keep thy hold and never let it go." Those that
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have a good education, though they strive to shake it off, will find it
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hang about them a great while, and, if it do not, their case is very
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sad.</P>
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<P>
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[2.] He recommends to him wisdom and understanding as the end to be
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aimed at in the use of these means; that <I>wisdom</I> which is the
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<I>principal wisdom,</I> get that. <I>Quod caput est sapientia eam
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acquire sapientiam--Be sure to mind that branch of wisdom which is the
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top branch of it,</I> and that is the <I>fear of God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+1:7"><I>ch.</I> i. 7</A>.
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Junius and Tremellius. A principle of religion in the heart is the one
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thing needful; therefore, <I>First,</I> Get this <I>wisdom,</I> get
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this <I>understanding,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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And again, "<I>Get wisdom,</I> and <I>with all thy getting, get
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understanding,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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Pray for it, take pains for it, give diligence in the use of all
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appointed means to attain it. <I>Wait at wisdom's gate,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+8:34">Prov. viii. 34</A>.
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Get dominion over thy corruptions, which are thy follies: get
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possession of wise principles and the habits of wisdom. Get wisdom by
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experience, get it <I>above all thy getting;</I> be more in care and
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take more pains to get this than to get the wealth of this world;
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whatever thou forgettest, get this, reckon it a great achievement, and
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pursue it accordingly." True wisdom is God's gift, and yet we are here
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commanded to get it, because God gives it to those that labour for it;
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yet, after all, we must not say, <I>Our might and the power of our hand
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have gotten us this wealth. Secondly, Forget her not</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>forsake her not</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>let her not go</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>but keep her.</I> Those that have got this wisdom must take heed of
|
|
losing it again by returning to folly: it is indeed a good part, that
|
|
shall not be <I>taken from us;</I> but then we must take heed lest we
|
|
throw it from us, as those do that forget it first, and let it slip out
|
|
of their minds, and then forsake it and turn out of its good ways. That
|
|
good thing which is committed to us we must keep, and not let it drop,
|
|
through carelessness, nor suffer it to be forced from us, nor suffer
|
|
ourselves to be wheedled out of it; never let go such a jewel.
|
|
<I>Thirdly, Love her</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
and <I>embrace her</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
as worldly men love their wealth and set their hearts upon it. Religion
|
|
should be very dear to us, dearer than any thing in this world; and, if
|
|
we cannot reach to be great masters of wisdom, yet let us be true
|
|
lovers of it; and what grace we have let us embrace it with a sincere
|
|
affection, as those that admire its beauty. <I>Fourthly, "Exalt
|
|
her,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Always keep up high thoughts of religion, and do all thou canst to
|
|
bring it into reputation, and maintain the credit of it among men.
|
|
Concur with God in his purpose, which is to magnify the law and make it
|
|
honourable, and do what thou canst to serve that purpose." Let
|
|
<I>Wisdom's</I> children not only justify her, but magnify her, and
|
|
prefer her before that which is dearest to them in this world. In
|
|
honouring those that fear the Lord, though they are low in the world,
|
|
and in regarding a <I>poor wise man,</I> we exalt wisdom.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) By way of motive and inducement thus to labour for wisdom, and
|
|
submit to the guidance of it, consider,
|
|
|
|
[1.] It is the main matter, and that which ought to be the chief and
|
|
continual care of every man in this life
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Wisdom is the principal thing;</I> other things which we are
|
|
solicitous to get and keep are nothing to it. It is the <I>whole of
|
|
man,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+12:13">Eccl. xii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is that which recommends us to God, which beautifies the soul, which
|
|
enables us to answer the end of our creation, to live to some good
|
|
purpose in the world, and to get to heaven at last; and therefore it is
|
|
the principal thing.
|
|
|
|
[2.] It has reason and equity on its side
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>I have taught thee in the way of wisdom,</I> and so it will be
|
|
found to be at last. <I>I have led thee,</I> not in the crooked ways
|
|
of carnal policy, which does wrong under colour of wisdom, but <I>in
|
|
right paths,</I> agreeable to the eternal rules and reasons of good and
|
|
evil." The rectitude of the divine nature appears in the rectitude of
|
|
all the divine laws. Observe, David not only taught his son by good
|
|
instructions, but led him both by a good example and by applying
|
|
general instructions to particular cases; so that nothing was wanting
|
|
on his part to make him wise.
|
|
|
|
[3.] It would be much for his own advantage: "If thou be wise and good,
|
|
thou shalt be so for thyself." <I>First,</I> "It will be thy life, thy
|
|
comfort, thy happiness; it is what thou canst not live without:"
|
|
<I>Keep my commandments and live,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
That of our Saviour agrees with this, <I>If thou wilt enter into life,
|
|
keep the commandments,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+19:17">Matt. xix. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is upon pain of death, eternal death, and in prospect of life,
|
|
eternal life, that we are required to be religious. "Receive wisdom's
|
|
sayings, <I>and the years of thy life shall be many</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
as many in this world as Infinite Wisdom sees fit, and in the other
|
|
world thou shalt live that life the years of which shall never be
|
|
numbered. <I>Keep her</I> therefore, whatever it cost thee, <I>for she
|
|
is thy life,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
All thy satisfaction will be found in this;" and a soul without true
|
|
wisdom and grace is really a dead soul. <I>Secondly,</I> "It will be
|
|
thy guard and guide, thy convoy and conductor, through all the dangers
|
|
and difficulties of thy journey through this wilderness. Love wisdom,
|
|
and cleave to her, and she shall <I>preserve thee, she shall keep
|
|
thee</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>)
|
|
|
|
from sin, the worst of evils, the worst of enemies; she shall keep thee
|
|
from hurting thyself, and then none else can hurt thee." As we say,
|
|
"Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee;" so, "Keep thy wisdom, and
|
|
thy wisdom will keep thee." It will keep us from straits and
|
|
stumbling-blocks in the management of ourselves and our affairs,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. That our steps be not straitened when we go, that we bring not
|
|
ourselves into such straits as David was in,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+24:14">2 Sam. xxiv. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that make God's word their rule shall walk at liberty, and be at
|
|
ease in themselves.
|
|
|
|
2. That our feet do not stumble when we run. If wise and good men be
|
|
put upon sudden resolves, the certain rule of God's word which they go
|
|
by will keep them even then from stumbling upon any thing that may be
|
|
pernicious. Integrity and uprightness will preserve us.
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> "It will be thy honour and reputation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Exalt</I> wisdom (do thou but show thy good-will to her advancement)
|
|
and though she needs not thy service she will abundantly recompense it,
|
|
<I>she shall promote thee, she shall bring thee to honour.</I>" Solomon
|
|
was to be a king, but his wisdom and virtue would be more his honour
|
|
than his crown or purple; it was that for which all his neighbours had
|
|
him so much in veneration; and no doubt, in his reign and David's, wise
|
|
and good men stood fairest for preferment. However, religion will,
|
|
first or last, bring all those <I>to honour</I> that cordially
|
|
<I>embrace her;</I> they shall be accepted of God, respected by all
|
|
wise men, owned in the great day, and shall inherit everlasting glory.
|
|
This he insists on
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace</I> in this world,
|
|
shall recommend thee both to God and man, and in the other world <I>a
|
|
crown of glory shall she deliver to thee,</I> a crown that shall never
|
|
totter, a crown of glory that shall never wither." That is the true
|
|
honour which attends religion. <I>Nobilitas sola est atique unica
|
|
virtus--Virtue is the only nobility!</I> David having thus recommended
|
|
wisdom to his son, no marvel that when God bade him ask what he would
|
|
he prayed, Lord, <I>give me a wise and an understanding heart.</I> We
|
|
should make it appear by our prayers how well we are taught.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr4_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr4_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr4_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr4_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr4_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr4_19"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Cautions against Bad Company.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way
|
|
of evil <I>men.</I>
|
|
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
|
|
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and
|
|
their sleep is taken away, unless they cause <I>some</I> to fall.
|
|
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of
|
|
violence.
|
|
18 But the path of the just <I>is</I> as the shining light, that
|
|
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
|
|
19 The way of the wicked <I>is</I> as darkness: they know not at
|
|
what they stumble.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Some make David's instructions to Solomon, which began
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>,
|
|
|
|
to continue to the end of the chapter; nay, some continue them to the
|
|
end of the ninth chapter; but it is more probable that Solomon begins
|
|
here again, if not sooner. In these verses, having exhorted us to walk
|
|
in the paths of wisdom, he cautions us against the path of the wicked.
|
|
|
|
1. We must take heed of the ways of sin and avoid them, every thing
|
|
that looks like sin and leads to it.
|
|
|
|
2. In order to this we must keep out of the ways of sinners, and have
|
|
no fellowship with them. For fear of falling into wicked courses, we
|
|
must shun wicked company. Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The caution itself,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. We must take heed of falling in with sin and sinners: <I>Enter not
|
|
into the paths of the wicked.</I> Our teacher, having like a faithful
|
|
guide shown us the <I>right paths</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
here warns us of the by-paths into which we are in danger of being
|
|
drawn aside. Those that have been well educated, and trained up in the
|
|
way they should go, let them never turn aside into the way they should
|
|
not go; let them not so much as enter into it, no, not to make trial of
|
|
it, lest it prove a dangerous experiment and difficult to retreat with
|
|
safety. "Venture not into the company of those that are infected with
|
|
the plague, no, not though thou think thyself guarded with an
|
|
antidote."
|
|
|
|
2. If at any time we are inveigled into an evil way, we must hasten out
|
|
of it. "If, ere thou wast aware, thou didst enter in at the gate,
|
|
because it was wide, <I>go not</I> on <I>in the way of evil men.</I> As
|
|
soon as thou art made sensible of thy mistake, retire immediately, take
|
|
not a step more, stay not a minute longer, in the way that certainly
|
|
leads to destruction."
|
|
|
|
3. We must dread and detest the ways of sin and sinners, and decline
|
|
them with the utmost care imaginable. "<I>The way of evil men</I> may
|
|
seem a pleasant way and sociable, and the nearest way to the compassing
|
|
of some secular end we may have in view; but it is an evil way, and
|
|
will end ill, and therefore if thou love thy God and thy soul <I>avoid
|
|
it, pass not by it,</I> that thou mayest not be tempted to enter into
|
|
it; and, if thou find thyself near it, <I>turn from it and pass
|
|
away,</I> and get as far off it as thou canst." The manner of
|
|
expression intimates the imminent danger we are in, the need we have of
|
|
this caution, and the great importance of it, and that our watchmen
|
|
are, or should be, in good earnest, in giving us warning. It intimates
|
|
likewise at what a distance we should keep from sin and sinners; he
|
|
does not say, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance, the
|
|
further the better; never think you can get far enough from it.
|
|
<I>Escape for thy life: look not behind thee.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The reasons to enforce this caution.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. "Consider the character of the men whose way thou art warned to
|
|
shun." They are mischievous men
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:16,17"><I>v.</I> 16, 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
they not only care not what hurt they do to those that stand in their
|
|
way, but it is their business to do mischief, and their delight, purely
|
|
for mischief-sake. They are continually designing and endeavouring to
|
|
<I>cause some to fall,</I> to ruin them body and soul. Wickedness and
|
|
malice are in their nature, and violence is in all their actions. They
|
|
are spiteful in the highest degree; for,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Mischief is rest and sleep to them. As much satisfaction as a
|
|
covetous man has when he has got money, an ambitious man when he has
|
|
got preferment, and a good man when he has done good, so much have they
|
|
when they have said or done that which is injurious and ill-natured;
|
|
and they are extremely uneasy if they cannot get their envy and revenge
|
|
gratified, as Haman, to whom every thing was unpleasant as long as
|
|
Mordecai was unhanged. It intimates likewise how restless and unwearied
|
|
they are in their mischievous pursuits; they will rather be deprived of
|
|
sleep than of the pleasure of being vexatious.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Mischief is meat and drink to them; they feed and feast upon it.
|
|
<I>They eat the bread of the wickedness (they eat up my people as they
|
|
eat bread,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+14:4">Ps. xiv. 4</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>and drink the wine of violence</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>drink iniquity like water,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+15:16">Job xv. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
All they eat and drink is got by rapine and oppression. Do wicked men
|
|
think the time lost in which they are not doing hurt? Let good men make
|
|
it as much their business and delight to do good. <I>Amici, diem
|
|
perdidi--Friends, I have lost a day.</I> And let all that are wise, and
|
|
wish well to themselves, avoid the society of the wicked; for,
|
|
|
|
[1.] It is very scandalous; for there is no disposition of mind that is
|
|
a greater reproach to human nature, a greater enemy to human society, a
|
|
bolder defiance to God and conscience, that has more of the devil's
|
|
image in it, or is more serviceable to his interests, than a delight to
|
|
do mischief and to vex, and hurt, and ruin every body.
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is very dangerous. "Shun those that delight to do mischief as
|
|
thou tenderest thy own safety; for, whatever friendship they may
|
|
pretend, one time or other they will do thee mischief; thou wilt ruin
|
|
thyself if thou dost concur with them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+1:18"><I>ch.</I> i. 18</A>)
|
|
|
|
and they will ruin thee if thou dost not."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. "Consider the character of the way itself which thou art warned to
|
|
shun, compared with the right way which thou art invited to walk
|
|
in."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The way of righteousness is light
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The path of the just,</I> which they have chosen, and in which they
|
|
walk, <I>is as light;</I> the <I>light shines on their ways</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+22:28">Job xxii. 28</A>)
|
|
|
|
and makes them both safe and pleasant. Christ is <I>their way</I> and
|
|
he is <I>the light.</I> They are guided by the word of God and that is
|
|
<I>a light to their feet;</I> they themselves are <I>light in the
|
|
Lord</I> and they <I>walk in the light as he is in the light.</I>
|
|
|
|
[1.] It is a <I>shining light.</I> Their way shines to themselves in
|
|
the joy and comfort of it; it shines before others in the lustre and
|
|
honour of it; <I>it shines before men, who see their good works,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:16">Matt. v. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
They go on in their way with a holy security and serenity of mind, as
|
|
those that <I>walk in the light.</I> It is as the morning-light, which
|
|
<I>shines out of obscurity</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:8,10">Isa. lviii. 8, 10</A>)
|
|
|
|
and puts an end to the <I>works of darkness.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is a growing light; it <I>shines more and more,</I> not like
|
|
the light of a meteor, which soon disappears, or that of a candle,
|
|
which burns dim and burns down, but like that of the rising sun, which
|
|
goes forward shining, mounts upward shining. Grace, the guide of this
|
|
way, is growing; <I>he that has clean hands shall be stronger and
|
|
stronger.</I> That joy which is the pleasure of this way, that honour
|
|
which is the brightness of it, and all that happiness which is indeed
|
|
its light, shall be still increasing.
|
|
|
|
[3.] It will arrive, in the end, at <I>the perfect day.</I> The light
|
|
of the dayspring will at length be noon-day light, and it is this that
|
|
the enlightened soul is pressing towards. The saints will not be
|
|
perfect till they come to heaven, but there they shall themselves
|
|
<I>shine as the sun when he goes forth in his strength,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:43">Matt. xiii. 43</A>.
|
|
|
|
Their graces and joys shall be all consummate. Therefore it is our
|
|
wisdom to keep close to <I>the path of the just.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The <I>way of</I> sin <I>is as darkness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
The works he had cautioned us not to have fellowship with are <I>works
|
|
of darkness.</I> What true pleasure and satisfaction can those have who
|
|
know no pleasure and satisfaction but what they have in doing mischief?
|
|
What sure guide have those that cast God's word behind them? <I>The way
|
|
of the wicked is dark,</I> and therefore dangerous; for they stumble
|
|
and yet <I>know not at what they stumble.</I> They fall into sin, but
|
|
are not aware which way the temptation came by which they were
|
|
overthrown, and therefore know not how to avoid it the next time. They
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fall into trouble, but never enquire wherefore God contends with them;
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they <I>consider not that they do evil,</I> nor what will be in the end
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of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+82:5,Job+18:5,6">Ps. lxxxii. 5; Job xviii. 5, 6</A>.
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This is the way we are directed to shun.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr4_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr4_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Parental Instructions.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my
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sayings.
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21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst
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of thine heart.
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22 For they <I>are</I> life unto those that find them, and health to
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all their flesh.
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23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it <I>are</I> the
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issues of life.
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24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put
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far from thee.
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25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look
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straight before thee.
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26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be
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established.
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27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot
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from evil.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Solomon, having warned us not to do evil, here teaches us how to do
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well. It is not enough for us to shun the occasions of sin, but we must
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study the methods of duty.</P>
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<P>
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I. We must have a continual regard to the word of God and endeavour
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that it may be always ready to us.</P>
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<P>
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1. The sayings of wisdom must be our principles by which we must govern
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ourselves, our monitors to warn us of duty and danger; and therefore,
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(1.) We must receive them readily: "<I>Incline thy ear to them</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);
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humbly bow to them; diligently listen to them." The attentive hearing
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of the word of God is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart
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and a good means of carrying it on. It is to be hoped that those are
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resolved to do their duty who are inclined to know it.
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(2.) We must retain them carefully
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>);
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we must lay them before us as our rule: "<I>Let them not depart from
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thy eyes;</I> view them, review them, and in every thing aim to conform
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|
to them." We must lodge them within us, as a commanding principle, the
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|
influences of which are diffused throughout the whole man: "<I>Keep
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|
them in the midst of thy heart,</I> as things dear to thee, and which
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|
thou art afraid of losing." Let the word of God be written in the
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heart, and that which is written there will remain.</P>
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<P>
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2. The reason why we must thus make much of the words of wisdom is
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|
because they will be both food and physic to us, like <I>the tree of
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|
life,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+22:2,Eze+47:12">Rev. xxii. 2; Ezek. xlvii. 12</A>.
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Those that seek and find them, find and keep them, shall find in them,
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|
(1.) Food: <I>For they are life unto those that find them,</I>
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
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|
|
|
As the spiritual life was begun by the word as the instrument of it, so
|
|
by the same word it is still nourished and maintained. We could not
|
|
live without it; we may by faith live upon it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Physic. They are <I>health to all their flesh,</I> to the whole
|
|
man, both body and soul; they help to keep both in good plight. They
|
|
are <I>health to all flesh,</I> so the LXX. There is enough to cure all
|
|
the diseases of this distempered world. They are <I>a medicine to all
|
|
their flesh</I> (so the word is), to all their corruptions, for they
|
|
are called flesh, to all their grievances, which are as thorns in the
|
|
flesh. There is in the word of God a proper remedy for all our
|
|
spiritual maladies.</P>
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|
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|
<P>
|
|
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|
II. We must keep a watchful eye and a strict hand upon all the motions
|
|
of our inward man,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
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|
Here is,
|
|
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|
1. A great duty required by the laws of wisdom, and in order to our
|
|
getting and preserving wisdom: <I>Keep thy heart with all
|
|
diligence.</I> God, who gave us these souls, gave us a strict charge
|
|
with them: Man, woman, <I>keep thy heart; take heed to thy spirit,</I>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:9">Deut. iv. 9</A>.
|
|
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|
We must maintain a holy jealousy of ourselves, and set a strict guard,
|
|
accordingly, upon all the avenues of the soul; keep our hearts from
|
|
doing hurt and getting hurt, from being defiled by sin and disturbed by
|
|
trouble; keep them as our jewel, as our vineyard; keep a conscience
|
|
void of offence; keep out bad thoughts; keep up good thoughts; keep the
|
|
affections upon right objects and in due bounds. <I>Keep them with all
|
|
keepings</I> (so the word is); there are many ways of keeping
|
|
things--by care, by strength, by calling in help, and we must use them
|
|
all in keeping our hearts; and all little enough, so deceitful are
|
|
they,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+17:9">Jer. xvii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Or <I>above all keepings;</I> we must keep our hearts with more care
|
|
and diligence than we keep any thing else. We must keep our eyes
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:1">Job xxxi. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
keep our tongues
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+34:13">Ps. xxxiv. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
keep our feet
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:1">Eccl. v. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
but, above all, keep our hearts.
|
|
|
|
2. A good reason given for this care, because <I>out of it are the
|
|
issues of life.</I> Out of a heart well kept will flow living issues,
|
|
good products, to the glory of God and the edification of others. Or,
|
|
in general, all the actions of the life flow from the heart, and
|
|
therefore keeping that is making the tree good and healing the springs.
|
|
Our lives will be regular or irregular, comfortable or uncomfortable,
|
|
according as our hearts are kept or neglected.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. We must set a <I>watch before the door of our lips,</I> that we
|
|
offend not with out tongue
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Put away from thee a froward mouth and perverse lips.</I> Our hearts
|
|
being naturally corrupt, out of them a great deal of corrupt
|
|
communication is apt to come, and therefore we must conceive a great
|
|
dread and detestation of all manner of evil words, cursing, swearing,
|
|
lying, slandering, brawling, filthiness, and foolish talking, all which
|
|
come from a <I>froward mouth and perverse lips,</I> that will not be
|
|
governed either by reason or religion, but contradict both, and which
|
|
are as unsightly and ill-favoured before God as a crooked distorted
|
|
mouth drawn awry is before men. All manner of tongue sins, we must, by
|
|
constant watchfulness and stedfast resolution, <I>put from us,</I> put
|
|
<I>far from us,</I> abstaining from all words that have an appearance
|
|
of evil and fearing to learn any such words.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. We must make a covenant with our eyes: "Let them <I>look right on
|
|
and straight before thee,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let the eye be fixed and not wandering; let it not rove after every
|
|
thing that presents itself, for then it will be diverted form good and
|
|
ensnared in evil. Turn it from beholding vanity; let thy eye be single
|
|
and not divided; let thy intentions be sincere and uniform, and look
|
|
not asquint at any by-end." We must keep our eye upon our Master, and
|
|
be careful to approve ourselves to him; keep our eye upon our rule, and
|
|
conform to that; keep our eye upon our mark, the <I>prize of the high
|
|
calling,</I> and direct all towards that. <I>Oculum in metam</I>--<I>The
|
|
eye upon the goal.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. We must act considerately in all we do
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Ponder the path of thy feet, weigh it</I> (so the word is); "put the
|
|
word of God in one scale, and what thou hast done, or art about to do,
|
|
in the other, and see how they agree; be nice and critical in examining
|
|
whether thy way be good before the Lord and whether it will end well."
|
|
We must consider our past ways and examine what we have done, and our
|
|
present ways, what we are doing, whither we are going, and <I>see that
|
|
we walk circumspectly.</I> It concerns us to consider what are the
|
|
duties and what the difficulties, what are the advantages and what the
|
|
dangers, of our way, that we may act accordingly. "Do nothing
|
|
rashly."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VI. We must act with steadiness, caution, and consistency: "<I>Let all
|
|
thy ways be established</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>)
|
|
|
|
and be not unstable in them, as the double-minded man is; halt not
|
|
between two, but go on in an even uniform course of obedience; <I>turn
|
|
not to the right hand not to the left,</I> for there are errors on both
|
|
hands, and Satan gains his point if he prevails to draw us aside either
|
|
way. Be very careful to <I>remove thy foot from evil;</I> take heed of
|
|
extremes, for in them there is evil, and <I>let thy eyes look right
|
|
on,</I> that thou mayest keep the golden mean." Those that would
|
|
approve themselves wise must always be watchful.</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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