3:1 My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
Solomon reminded his sons not to forget his teachings. He asked them to keep these commandments as a part of their inner personalities.
3:2 for they will provide a long and full life, and they will add well-being to you.
The Hebrew word for well-being” is שָׁלוֹם (shalom), meaning peace with God. If Solomon’s sons will master Bible doctrine, then they will have peace with God. If anyone does not study and master Bible doctrine, then they will become bored with life. They may master an art, a discipline, or a skill, but it will not bring them peace with God. One can only acquire peace with God by mastering and applying Bible doctrine.
3:3 Do not let truth and mercy leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
The Hebrew word for “mercy” is חֶ֥סֶד (hesed), meaning a covenant loyalty. Solomon advised his sons to always possess a faithful love to the covenants of God. They were to never let the truth of these promises leave them. They were to bind the Mosaic Law around their necks. They were to write the Mosaic Law on their hearts. This has nothing to do with phylacteries. It has to do with learning and applying Bible doctrine so well, that the information is implanted in the mind.
3:4 Then you will find favor and good understanding, in the sight of God and people.
If Solomon’s sons will master and apply sound Bible doctrine, then they will be greatly respected among the people.
3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.
Man is totally depraved and evil. He cannot trust his own feelings. Solomon advised his sons to trust in the Lord and not on their own human nature. “If it feels good, do it,” “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die,” “live for the gusto,” and “that is not what I believe,” are all philosophies of the satanic world system. The only true world view is the biblical view. Human philosophy is tainted with demonism from the satanic world system.
3:6 Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.
Solomon advised his sons to acknowledge God in everything that they did. If they did so, then God would remove all obstacles out of their path.
3:7 Do not be wise in your own estimation; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Solomon advised his sons to not be arrogant enough to think that they were wiser than everyone else. Wisdom comes from God. The way to learn wisdom is to master Bible doctrine. Solomon advised his sons to fear God and turn away from evil. Joseph turned from evil by running away from the seductive advances of Potiphar’s wife.
3:8 This will bring healing to your body, and refreshment to your inner self.
God is the one who gives healing, health, and vigor. He gives it to the physical body as well as to the spiritual body. The study of Bible doctrine cleanses the soul of the desires of evil.
3:9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first fruits of all your crops;
Under the Mosaic Law, the Israelites were to give to God the first of their crops. This giving prompted God to bless Israel. Tithing was a part of the Mosaic Law. It is not a part of the dispensation of the church age. Israel was promised blessings for keeping the Mosaic Law. New Testament believers are promised suffering for serving Christ.
3:10 then your barns will be filled completely, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
This was true under the Mosaic Law, but is is not true under the modern dispensation of the church.
3:11 My child, do not despise discipline from the Lord, and do not loathe his rebuke.
Discipline make one stronger.
3:12 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
God does not spank the devil’s children.
3:13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding.
Wisdom and understanding comes from the deep study of the Word of God.
3:14 For her benefit is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than gold.
The mastery of Bible doctrine is more valuable than silver or gold.
3:15 She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things you desire can compare with her.
The mastery of Bible doctrine is more valuable than rubies. Nothing in value can be compared to the mastery of Bible doctrine.
3:16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Wisdom (the mastery of Bible doctrine) holds eternity in her right hand and heavenly riches and honor in her left hand.
3:17 Her ways are very pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
Those who master Bible doctrine will follow a pleasant road.
3:18 She is like a tree of life to those who obtain her, and everyone who grasps hold of her will be blessed.
Anyone who masters Bible doctrine will be like a tree of life. Everyone who masters Bible doctrine will be blessed.
3:19 By wisdom the Lord laid the foundation of the earth; he established the heavens by understanding.
The mind of God laid the incredible foundations of the earth and established the majestic heavens.
3:20 By his knowledge the primordial sea was broken open, and the clouds drip down dew.
God is so intelligent and knowledgeable, that he can cause a global flood by breaking up the sea and raining down floodgates from heaven.
3:21 My child, do not let them escape from your sight; safeguard sound wisdom and discretion.
Solomon asked his sons to not allow the lack of Bible doctrine to escape from their vision.
3:22 So they will give life to you, and grace to adorn your neck.
Solomon told his sons that strong Bible doctrine will give them life and kindness.
3:23 Then you will walk on your way with security, and you will not stumble.
Solomon told his sons that strong Bible doctrine will give them security. It will keep them from stumbling.
3:24 When you lie down you will not be filled with fear; when you lie down your sleep will be pleasant.
Solomon told his sons that strong Bible doctrine will give them courage and pleasant sleep.
3:25 You will not be afraid of sudden disaster, or when destruction overtakes the wicked;
Solomon told his sons that strong Bible doctrine will give them the ability to properly handle crisis in their lives.
3:26 for the Lord will be the source of your confidence, and he will guard your foot from being caught in a trap.
Solomon told his sons that strong Bible doctrine will give them confidence in the Lord. It will keep them from falling in the traps of Satan.
3:27 Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help.
Solomon advised his sons to do good to those who need it. They were to help others when they possessed the ability to do so.
3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go! Return tomorrow and I will give it,” when you have it with you at the time.
Solomon advised his sons to not delay in doing good to others.
3:29 Do not plot evil against your neighbor when he dwells by you unsuspectingly.
Solomon advised his sons to not commit evil acts against his neighbors.
3:30 Do not accuse anyone without legitimate cause, if he has not treated you wrongly.
Solomon advised his sons to not press false charges against his neighbors.
3:31 Do not envy a violent man, and do not choose to imitate any of his ways;
Solomon advised his sons to not show favoritism to a violent man. Nor were they to imitate his ways.
3:32 for one who goes astray is an abomination to the Lord, but he reveals his intimate counsel to the upright.
Evil men are an abomination to the Lord. God only gives intimate counsel to the upright. Charismatics use this verse to teach that they are upright, so God gives them private intimate counsel. This is false theology. In the dispensation of the church, God gives intimate counsel to those who study and apply Bible doctrine at the deepest level. He does this through gifted pastor-teachers.
3:33 The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
God curses the home of the wicked but blesses the home of the righteous.
3:34 Although he is scornful to arrogant scoffers, yet he shows favor to the humble.
God shows scorn to arrogant scoffers but He shows favor to those who humble themselves. Humility comes from mastering and applying Bible doctrine.
3:35 The wise inherit honor, but he holds fools up to public contempt.
The wise are those who master and apply Bible doctrine. God will hold them up in honor. Those who reject the Word of God are fools. Skeptics are so arrogant, that they judge a Book that they have never read. This is supreme foolishness. God will hold them up in public contempt.