Proverbs 4:3

3 When I was a son with my father, tender, and my mother's favorite,

Proverbs 4:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 4:3

For I was my father's son
Or, "a son to my father" F16; so Solomon was to God, his heavenly Father, ( 2 Samuel 7:14 ) ; which Jarchi observes, and gives as the sense of this place: but his father David is meant, whose son he was; though he was not his only one, he had others besides him. But the sense is, that he was his darling, his beloved son, whom he loved above the rest; as he was beloved of the Lord, and therefore his name was called Jedidiah, so he was beloved of his father; and, because he had a peculiar love for him, he took a particular care of his education; tender and only [beloved] in the sight of my mother;
his mother Bathsheba, who had a most affectionate regard to him; and therefore in his tender age, as soon as he was susceptible of instructions, gave them to him, which being received, made deep and lasting impressions on him; see ( Proverbs 31:1 Proverbs 31:2 ) . The marginal reading is, "to the sons of my mother"; for Bathsheba had more sons, ( 1 Chronicles 3:5 ) ; both readings may be retained, "beloved in the sight of my mother's sons". Gersom interprets this of the people of Israel, who were sons to God their Father; and were the only nation that received the law, and which they received at the time of their coming out of Egypt, in the days of their youth.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 (ybal ytyyh Nb) "filius fui patri meo", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Cocceius, Schultens.

Proverbs 4:3 In-Context

1 Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight;
2 for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father, tender, and my mother's favorite,
4 he taught me, and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.