Bridges on Proverbs 15:20
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 15:20
 
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20.  A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
 
Do not the brightest joys,† and the bitterest sorrows† in this world of tears, flow from parents' hearts? Whatever be the delight to see a son prospering in life; the Christian father finds no rest, until a wise son maketh him glad. And here we need not any development of talent, or superior attainment, but the true wisdom; humble and docile, marked (as the contrast suggests) by filial reverence, specially by the cordial choice of that, which “is the beginning of wisdom — the fear of the LORD.” Such a son does indeed rejoice his father, as he watches, with equal pleasure and thankfulness, the daily growth and healthiness of his choice vine.
But what if folly, instead of gladdening, despise a mother† — her, whose tender love,† and yearning faithfulness,† are a faint picture of the heart of God? The law of God commands honour† and reverence,† and the transgression of the law will not be forgotten.† But is not this neglect a chastening rebuke for capricious indulgence? What grace and wisdom is needed, that the parents may be a valuable blessing to their children for their highest interests! A single eye is the primary concern.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 23:24. 1 Kings 1:48.
 
 
Proverbs 10:1
1 ¶ The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
 
Proverbs 23:24
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
 
1 Kings 1:48
48 And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.
 
 
Footnote:
Proverbs 17:25. 2 Samuel 18:33.
 
 
Proverbs 17:25
25 ¶ A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
 
2 Samuel 18:33
33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
 
 
Footnote:
Proverbs 19:26. Proverbs 23:22.
 
 
Proverbs 19:26
26 ¶ He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
 
Proverbs 23:22
22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
 
 
Footnote:
Isaiah 66:13.
 
 
Isaiah 66:13
13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
 
 
Footnote:
Isaiah 49:15.
 
 
Isaiah 49:15
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. {that...: Heb. from having compassion}
 
 
Footnote:
Exodus 20:12
 
 
Exodus 20:12
12 ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
 
 
Footnote:
Leviticus 19:3.
 
 
Leviticus 19:3
3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
 
 
Footnote:
Proverbs 20:20; Proverbs 30:17. Ezekiel 22:7.
 
 
Proverbs 20:20
20 ¶ Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. {lamp: or, candle}
 
Proverbs 30:17
17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. {the valley: or, the brook}
 
Ezekiel 22:7
7 In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow. {oppression: or, deceit}