Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
The proverbs of Solomon
This phrase introduces the collection of wise sayings attributed to Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, which was a divine gift from God (1 Kings 3:5-14). The Hebrew word for "proverbs" is "mashal," which can mean a parable, a pithy maxim, or a wise saying. These proverbs are not merely human wisdom but are inspired insights meant to guide the moral and spiritual life of the believer. Solomon's proverbs are foundational to understanding the practical application of God's wisdom in daily life.

A wise son
The term "wise" in Hebrew is "chakam," which implies not only intelligence but also skillful living and moral insight. A wise son is one who applies God's principles to his life, demonstrating discernment and understanding. In the biblical context, wisdom is closely associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10), suggesting that a wise son is one who reveres God and aligns his actions with divine truth. This wisdom brings about a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to others.

brings joy to his father
The Hebrew word for "joy" is "simchah," which denotes gladness, mirth, and rejoicing. A wise son brings joy to his father by living a life that reflects godly values and principles. In ancient Israelite culture, the family was the central unit of society, and the actions of a son could significantly impact the family's honor and reputation. A son who lives wisely not only honors his father but also upholds the family's standing in the community, bringing joy and satisfaction to his father.

but a foolish son
The word "foolish" in Hebrew is "kesil," which refers to someone who is morally deficient, lacking in judgment, and prone to making poor decisions. A foolish son is one who disregards wisdom and instruction, often leading to destructive behavior. In the biblical context, foolishness is not merely a lack of intelligence but a moral failing, a refusal to live according to God's ways. This foolishness is often contrasted with wisdom throughout the book of Proverbs.

grief to his mother
The Hebrew word for "grief" is "tugah," which conveys sorrow, heaviness, and distress. A foolish son causes grief to his mother because his actions bring shame and heartache to the family. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, a mother's role was deeply connected to the nurturing and moral upbringing of her children. When a son acts foolishly, it reflects not only on him but also on his mother's influence and teaching, causing her deep emotional pain.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was the third king of Israel and is traditionally credited with writing the Book of Proverbs. Known for his wisdom, Solomon's proverbs offer practical insights into living a life that honors God.

2. Father
In the context of this proverb, the father represents the parental figure who experiences joy when his child acts wisely. This reflects the cultural and familial importance of wisdom in ancient Israel.

3. Mother
The mother in this proverb symbolizes the parental figure who feels grief when her child acts foolishly. This highlights the emotional impact of a child's actions on their parents.
Teaching Points
The Value of Wisdom
Wisdom is not just an intellectual pursuit but a practical application of knowledge that brings joy and honor to one's family.

Parental Impact
Our actions have a profound impact on our parents. Living wisely can be a way to honor them and bring them joy.

The Consequences of Foolishness
Foolish actions lead to grief and disappointment, not only affecting the individual but also those who care about them.

The Role of Family in Spiritual Growth
Families are foundational in teaching and nurturing wisdom. Parents play a crucial role in guiding their children towards wise living.

Reflecting God's Wisdom
As believers, we are called to reflect God's wisdom in our lives, which in turn brings joy to our heavenly Father.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the wisdom of a child bring joy to their parents, and what are some practical ways to cultivate wisdom in our lives?

2. In what ways can foolish actions cause grief to our parents, and how can we avoid these pitfalls?

3. How does the relationship between a wise son and his parents reflect our relationship with God?

4. What role do parents play in guiding their children towards wisdom, and how can children honor their parents in this process?

5. How can the themes of joy and grief in Proverbs 10:1 be seen in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and what lessons can we learn from this connection?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ephesians 6:1-3
This passage emphasizes the importance of children obeying and honoring their parents, which aligns with the joy a wise son brings to his father.

Proverbs 15:20
Similar to Proverbs 10:1, this verse contrasts the joy a wise son brings to his father with the grief a foolish man brings to his mother, reinforcing the theme of parental impact.

Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates the joy and grief parents experience based on their children's choices, mirroring the themes in Proverbs 10:1.
A Son's Wisdom a Father's JoyW. Arnot, D.D.Proverbs 10:1
Early Appearance of Moral ContrastE. Johnson Proverbs 10:1
Foolish SonsT. L. Cuyler, D.D.Proverbs 10:1
Our Joy in Our Children: a Sermon to ParentsW. Clarkson Proverbs 10:1
Parental SolicitudeT. De Witt Talmage.Proverbs 10:1
The Influence of the Child's Character Upon the Parent'sHomilistProverbs 10:1
The Mother's SorrowC. Wadsworth.Proverbs 10:1
The Young Man'sT. Binney.Proverbs 10:1
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Affliction, Brings, Causeth, Foolish, Glad, Grief, Heaviness, Joy, Makes, Maketh, Proverbs, Rejoice, Solomon, Sorrow, Wise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 10:1

     5120   Solomon, character
     5481   proverb
     5568   suffering, causes
     5667   children, responsibilities to God
     5685   fathers, responsibilities
     5719   mothers, responsibilities
     5835   disappointment
     8757   folly, effects of

Library
The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working
'The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.'--PROVERBS x. 29. You observe that the words 'shall be,' in the last clause, are a supplement. They are quite unnecessary, and in fact they rather hinder the sense. They destroy the completeness of the antithesis between the two halves of the verse. If you leave them out, and suppose that the 'way of the Lord' is what is spoken of in both clauses, you get a far deeper and fuller meaning. 'The way
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
"He that uttereth slander is a fool."--Prov. x. 18. General declamations against vice and sin are indeed excellently useful, as rousing men to consider and look about them: but they do often want effect, because they only raise confused apprehensions of things, and indeterminate propensions to action; which usually, before men thoroughly perceive or resolve what they should practise, do decay and vanish. As he that cries out "Fire!" doth stir up people, and inspireth them with a kind of hovering
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
"He that uttereth slander is a fool."--Prov. x. 18. I have formerly in this place, discoursing upon this text, explained the nature of the sin here condemned, with its several kinds and ways of practising. II. I shall now proceed to declare the folly of it; and to make good by divers reasons the assertion of the wise man, that "He who uttereth slander is a fool." 1. Slandering is foolish, as sinful and wicked. All sin is foolish upon many accounts; as proceeding from ignorance, error, inconsiderateness,
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental.
In the discussion of this subject, I shall show-- I. What constitute the sanctions of law. 1. The sanctions of law are the motives to obedience, the natural and the governmental consequences or results of obedience and of disobedience. 2. They are remuneratory, that is, they promise reward to obedience. 3. They are vindicatory, that is, they threaten the disobedient with punishment. 4. They are natural, that is, happiness is to some extent naturally connected with, and the necessary consequence of,
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Lii. Trust in God.
15th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. vi. 31. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." INTRODUCTION.--We read in ancient Roman history that a general named Aemilius Paulus was appointed to the Roman army in a time of war and great apprehension. He found in the army a sad condition of affairs, there were more officers than fighting men, and all these officers wanted to have their advice taken, and the war conducted in accordance with their several opinions. Then Aemilius Paulus
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles and of this Miracle of Miracles - views of Negative Criticism on this History
From listening to the teaching of Christ, we turn once more to follow His working. It will be remembered, that the visit to Bethany divides the period from the Feast of the Dedication to the last Paschal week into two parts. It also forms the prelude and preparation for the awful events of the End. For, it was on that occasion that the members of the Sanhedrin formally resolved on His Death. It now only remained to settle and carry out the plans for giving effect to their purpose. This is one aspect
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Christian's Hope
Scripture references: 1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Psalm 130:5; 43:5; Proverbs 10:8; Acts 24:15; Psalm 71:5; Romans 5:1-5; 12:12; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:19; Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Psalm 31:24; 71:14,15. HOPE IN THE PRESENT LIFE That which a man ardently hopes for he strives to realize. If he desires fame, office or wealth he will seek to set forces in motion, here and now, which will bring him that which
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Letter xxxi (A. D. 1132) to the Abbot of a Certain Monastery at York, from which the Prior had Departed, Taking Several Religious with Him.
To the Abbot of a Certain Monastery at York, from Which the Prior Had Departed, Taking Several Religious with Him. [50] 1. You write to me from beyond the sea to ask of me advice which I should have preferred that you had sought from some other. I am held between two difficulties, for if I do not reply to you, you may take my silence for a sign of contempt; but if I do reply I cannot avoid danger, since whatever I reply I must of necessity either give scandal to some one or give to some other a security
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 12.) Differently to be admonished are the simple and the insincere. The simple are to be praised for studying never to say what is false, but to be admonished to know how sometimes to be silent about what is true. For, as falsehood has always harmed him that speaks it, so sometimes the hearing of truth has done harm to some. Wherefore the Lord before His disciples, tempering His speech with silence, says, I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now (Joh. xvi. 12).
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Letter xv (Circa A. D. 1129) to Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin
To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin He praises the fatherly gentleness of Alvisus towards Godwin. He excuses himself, and asks pardon for having admitted him. To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin. [18] 1. May God render to you the same mercy which you have shown towards your holy son Godwin. I know that at the news of his death you showed yourself unmindful of old complaints, and remembering only your friendship for him, behaved with kindness, not resentment, and putting aside the character of judge, showed yourself
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
^A Matt. XII. 15-21; ^B Mark III. 7-12. ^a 15 And Jesus perceiving it withdrew ^b with his disciples ^a from thence: ^b to the sea [This was the first withdrawal of Jesus for the avowed purpose of self-preservation. After this we find Jesus constantly retiring to avoid the plots of his enemies. The Sea of Galilee, with its boats and its shores touching different jurisdictions, formed a convenient and fairly safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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