Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryProverbs 4

Instruction. See on ch. 1:2.

Ellen G. White

Good doctrine. Solomon knows that the doctrine is good, for he received it from his father (v. 4). David had learned wisdom through long and often bitter experience.

My father’s son. By this Solomon seems to imply more than the ordinary relationship. Solomon was the one who entered into his father’s hopes and aspiration. It was he who was appointed of God to build the temple for which David had made such loving and careful preparation (2 Sam. 7:12–16; 12:24, 25; 1 Chron. 22:9). The intense affection of a God-fearing and devoted parent could not but affect the life and character of Solomon.

He taught me. With this verse Solomon appears to quote the remembered words of David. We do not know where these words end and Solomon begins to speak again. Perhaps the clearest break is at the end of this chapter. The instruction is suited to a son of “tender” age (v. 3), whereas the next chapter takes up a subject that Solomon deals with many times—warnings against the strange woman.

Get wisdom. If this is typical of the counsel David gave to his favorite son, it is not surprising that Solomon requested wisdom when given an opportunity to ask for a special

blessing (1 Kings 3:5–15). These verses contain an epitome of much of the instruction in the book of Proverbs.

Not be straitened. The narrow road is amply broad for one who would walk ever forward. Wisdom teaches men to walk the strait way (Matt. 7:14). If Solomon had always heeded this counsel, his feet would never have turned into paths where stumbling blocks brought him down to disgrace before God and man (1 Kings 11:1–13).

Enter not. Compare Ps. 1:1. To linger in the neighborhood of sin and sinners is to blunt the keen edge of conscience and make it easier to sit down with the scornful. Hence the sixfold warning to keep away (Prov. 4:15, 16).

For they sleep not. David’s own checkered career had brought him into contact with many sorts of evil men, and he was well aware of the sinister compulsion of sinners to induce someone else to join them in their favorite sin. If such men were asked whether they would advise others to do as they have done, they would, perhaps, answer No. Yet they continue to entangle others in the net that has snared their own feet, and do it as naturally as they eat and drink (see Job 15:16).

Path of the just. As the light steals almost imperceptibly across the sky at dawn and then grows brighter at an ever-increasing rate, until the full glory of the day is seen, so the light of truth shines upon the pathway of the righteous. The closer a man comes to his Lord, the more time and effort he gives to gaining a knowledge of God through prayerful Bible study, and the brighter shines the light. It is not only the light shining upon the Christian that increases. The reflected light that shines out from the just man is also magnified in the same measure. The darkness of the last days will accentuate the growth of this radiance. Translation will bring the outward appearance into harmony with the inner brightness of the sinless saints (see GC 470, 476).

Ellen G. White

Way of the wicked. The darkness that blinds those who insist on following their own ways is so deceptive that such men think they are the ones who have the real light. They stumble and fall without knowing it. For them, the revelations of the judgment will come as a fearful surprise (see Matt. 25:44; GC 640, 654).

Ellen G. White

Health. The close relation between the mind and body seems here to be indicated. Wisdom and understanding bring healing to the body as well as to the soul. Folly, misunderstanding, anxiety, and guilt are common causes of physical and mental trouble (MH 241).

Keep thy heart. That is, “keep the mind” (see on ch. 2:10). Purity of mind is the first requisite for a sinless life. It is out of the abundance of the heart (mind) that good or evil comes into our lives (Luke 6:45). Sin is the indulging of the desires of the sinful, deceitful human heart (Jer. 17:9), hence the need for diligence in keeping the mind surrendered to God, who alone can keep it pure (see Eph. 4:17, 23).

Ellen G. White

Perverse lips. The tongue is the hardest member to control (James 3:1–12). Only purity of mind and a close watch upon the tongue will eventually subdue this wicked member. What the tongue says is a good indication of the state of the mind. Gossip, especially about unsavory things, shows a mind still filled with earthy interests. Angry words show that pride and self-will still rule. Every slip of the tongue should send us to the Lord for cleansing of the mind (Ps. 101:5; Prov. 6:12; Matt. 12:34; Rom. 12:2).

Look right on. When the heart is set upon righteousness, the eyes will cease to rove. Modern city life besets the passer-by with a thousand temptations of every

description, and there is no better protection than the straightforward walk, with the eyes fixed with singleness of purpose upon the goal. In the walk through life we must keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus if we are to attain salvation (Heb. 12:2).

Ponder. Heb. palas, “to weigh,” “to make level,” here perhaps to weigh mentally. Such a course would lead to the removing of every obstacle that might cause the foot to stumble. Purity of heart, truthfulness of speech, and singleness of purpose make possible the advancement of our ways in peace. These qualities bring their own reward, and to this God adds His own blessing.