Chapter 4 goes into a great deal of detail about why children should listen when their father corrects them. I think we get some insight into Solomon’s relationship with his father. He talks about being “his father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.” He speaks of how his father taught him, told him to get wisdom and develop good judgment, not to turn his back on wisdom, “for she will protect you.”
One could summarize chapter 5 by quoting verse 15: “Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife.” He even talks about the gruesomeness of disease which might befall you if you do not heed this advice.
I think Proverbs 6:6 is probably the source of the story of the grasshopper and the ant. Solomon’s advice to take a lesson from the ant, to work hard all summer and gather food for the winter, not to participate in “a little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest.” In addition to that, we are told about the seven things the Lord detests:
Haughty eyes
A lying tongue
Hands that kill the innocent
A heart that plots evil
Feet that race to do wrong
A false witness who pours out lies
A person who sows discord in a family
He also advises not to ignore one’s parent’s advice, that their words will lead you, protect you and advise you.
Words to live by…
Tomorrow, it’s Proverbs 7 - 9.
Until next time…
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