The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 96

EXPOSITION. Bohlius, in bis • Ethics Se.era.,' diap. vi. OHAPTER IV. p. 65, sqq., assigns "discipline" (musar) to Vera. 1-27. -7. Seventh admoflitory this cbo.pter; and Melanctbon describes the discourse. We here enter upon the second admonitions of the chapter before us as group of admonitory discourses, as is indice.ted "o.dhortationes ad studium obeclientire." by the opening e.ddress, " my children," and Discipline rising into obedience seems to be which occurs a.gain in eh. v. 7 e.nd vii. 24. the predomine.nt thought to which all others This group extends .to the end of eh. vii. a.re me.de subordinate. The discourse is an Its preve.iling tone is the.t of wo.rning re.ther enlargement or amplification of this aspect than of positive exborto.tions, which have of Wisdom. In structure the discourse been· the rule hitherto, The general aim of consists me.inly of the father's ndvice (vers. the discourse bofore us, as of those preceding, 4-19), preceded and followed by the is to exalt Wisdom, to exhibit her a.e a tee.ober'a own admonitions in vers. 1-3 and subject worthy of e.11 earnest endeavolll" and 20-27. The chief topics touched upon a.re so.cri.fioe, but it is noticeable that the teaoher (I) the supreme importance of Wisdom as introduces a fresh feature into his teaching being "the principo.l thing" to be obtained or mode of instruction, in order to prooure before everything else (vers. 7-9); (2) the attention to, and acceptance of, his precepts two ways that lie open to the choice of on the part of his bearers. He has e.lreo.dy youth, distinguished respectively o.s the wo.y spoken in bis own name and with bis own of light and the we.y of darkuess (vers. authority; he has brought forward Wisdom H-19); and (3) the guarding of the heart personified. as ma.king her appeal; he now with all diligence, 118 being the seat of adduces the authority of his own father's conaoienoe e.nd the founto.in of life in its o.dvioe to himself. But as the mode of more.I sense ( vers. 23-27). The first po.rt emphasizing his admonitions varies, so of the discourse is cba.ro.cterized by exhorta- Wisdom is mo.uy-sided, and the aspect undtlr tions accompanied by promises; the latter which she is riow presented seems to be po.rt takes the form of we.ruing, and we.rning espeoio.lly that of discipline and obedience. of an o.le.rming nature. The be.rmony which The key-note of the discourse seems to be exists between the allusions in the disconrstl struck in the word " inatruotion," i.e. and the facts recorded in the historical dl.acipline, in the original, mu.sar, thus books of SCLmuol and Chronicles serves to recalling the o.dmonitiou in eh. i. 8, " My indicate that we have before us, in subste.nce &on, hear the instruction of thy father.'' at leo.st, the advice which Da.vid gave to 81 THE PROVERBS. [CH, IV, 1-27,