The wise person encourages others to hear the Word and find wisdom. The father received wisdom when he was a boy, and he admonished his children to do the same. Live today so that your counsel and example will influence others and help them live wisely.
When you have wisdom, you have protection (v. 6) and promotion (vv. 8–9) and you will have the freedom to make progress (v. 12). As you obey His Word, the light will get brighter on the path of life (v. 18). But this is not true if you are on the path of the wicked.
Again, Solomon emphasized having your whole person controlled by God’s Word (vv. 20–27; Col. 3:16). This will guide you on the right path and keep you from detours.
Samson on the Wrong Path
Samson was a gifted man who ignored many of the instructions given in Proverbs 1–4. Read Judges 13–16 and note that he did not seek God’s wisdom but went his own rebellious way. He took his eyes off the right path and ended up on the path of darkness and death. He chose the wrong friends and followed folly instead of wisdom. Had he allowed the Word to control his whole person, Samson would have brought blessing to himself and glory to God.
