Proverbs 5:1
INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 5
The general instruction of this chapter is to avoid whoredom, and make use of lawful marriage, and keep to that. It is introduced with an exhortation to attend to wisdom and understanding, Pr 5:1; one part of which lies in shunning an adulterous woman; who is described by her flattery, with which she deceives; by the end she brings men to, which is destruction and death; and by the uncertainty of her ways, which cannot be known, Pr 5:3. Wherefore men are advised to keep at the utmost distance from her, Pr 5:7; lest their honour, strength, wealth, and labours, be given to others, Pr 5:9; and repentance and mourning follow, when too late, Pr 5:11. And, as a remedy against whoredom, entering into a marriage state is advised to, and a strict regard to that; allegorically expressed by a man's drinking water out of his fountain, and by his wife being as a loving hind and pleasant roe to him, the single object of his affections, Pr 5:15. As also the consideration of the divine omniscience is proposed, to deter him from the sin of adultery, Pr 5:20; as well as the inevitable ruin wicked men are brought into by it, Pr 5:22.
Ver. 1. My son, attend unto my wisdom,.... Not the wisdom of the world or of the flesh, worldly wisdom and carnal policy; but spiritual and evangelical wisdom; such as one that is greater than Solomon has in him, even Christ; "for in him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge", Col 2:3; and which he teaches and communicates to others, even all proper instructions for conduct in life: the Gospel, and each of the doctrines of it, which are "the wisdom of God in a mystery", 1Co 2:7: these every child of God, and disciple of Christ, ought carefully and diligently to attend unto;
[and] bow thine ear to my understanding: listen attentively to those things which I have, and give an understanding of, even things divine and spiritual; the understanding of which is of the utmost moment and importance.