Proverbs 28:9

9 He who turns his ear from listening to instruction, even his prayer [is] an abomination.

Proverbs 28:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:9

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law
Not merely the moral law, but the word of God in general, and any and every doctrine of it; though the law is to be heard and attended to, what it commands and forbids, its precepts, menaces, and curses: indeed the Spirit of God is not received by the hearing of the law, nor does faith come by that; but by hearing the word of God, particularly the Gospel; which yet then turn away their ears from, and are turned to fables, and choose to hearken to anything rather than that; and, like the deaf adder, stop their ears to the voice of the charmer, charming ever so wisely; the folly and sad effects of which will be seen when too late; even his prayer [shall be] abomination;
that is, to God; not only his ungodly actions, but even his outward exercises of religion, which carry in them some show of goodness and holiness; and particularly his prayer to God, which in upright persons is the delight of the Lord; yet in such an one it will be abhorred by him; when he is in distress, and shall pray to the Lord, he will not only turn a deaf ear to him, as he has to his law or word, but he will despise and abhor him and his prayer; because he has set at nought his counsel, and despised his reproof, ( Proverbs 1:24-28 ) .

Proverbs 28:9 In-Context

7 He who keeps instruction [is] a child of understanding, but the companion of gluttons will shame his father.

8 He who augments his wealth with interest and with usury gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.

9 He who turns his ear from listening to instruction, even his prayer [is] an abomination.

10 He who misleads the upright onto the way of evil, into his pits he will fall. But as for the blameless, they will inherit good.

11 A man of wealth [is] wise in his own eyes, but the intelligent poor sees through him.