Teach the children well

TODAY’S PROVERB: For I give you sound learning—do not forsake my instruction. Proverbs 4:2, TLV

King David was also a wise man. He made many mistakes — some fatal — and yet he was a man after GOD’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).

I would imagine that the young prince Solomon spent his formative years being mentored by his father.

Did little Shlomo (Hebrew for Solomon) sit while his father recited his psalms to the scribe?

Were his bedtime stories taken from the Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy) and historical chronicles?

I believe David’s heir to the throne received sound instruction from his father, his mother, and the scholars of that time.

Psalms, the precursor to Proverbs

There are many psalms written by King David that were the precursor to King Solomon’s proverbs. Some practically word-for-word.

Psalms like chapter 15 which speaks of integrity, not slandering, keeping an oath, not bribing. Or chapter 35 that speaks of justice for the oppressed. Or chapter 37 that covers many of Solomon’s themes throughout Proverbs. So many examples.

Of the 20+ children of King David who received sound learning, only one of them truly listened. King Solomon made many mistakes, but GOD granted him a mantle of wisdom. Taught by his father and the Creator of the Universe, Solomon’s wisdom was recognized by the known world.

It is the honor of the older and wiser to teach the younger. It is the honor of the younger to receive these lessons and pass them on to their children. Whatever age we are, there are those younger and older. Therefore, we have an opportunity to pay attention and learn, or give and teach — perhaps, even both.

May we continue to listen and learn, my friends. Then pass on to the next generations.

Proverbs 4:2 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs