My father's son, in a special manner; his best beloved son, and designed to be his successor in the throne. Tender; young and tender in years, and capable of any impressions, and tenderly educated. Only beloved, Heb. only, or the only son; or rather, because Bathsheba seems to have had other sons, 1 Chronicles 3:5, as an only son, as dearly beloved as an only son; in which sense this title is given to Isaac, Genesis 22:2,12,16, though he had another son, and to others. And all these circumstances are mentioned to show the necessity and great benefit of wholesome instruction, which his royal parents would not neglect, no, not in his tender years, and thereby to prepare and excite them by his example to receive instruction.
Related Commentaries of Proverbs 4:3
Proverbs 4:3
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.