For I was my father's son, tender and only [beloved] in the sight of my mother.
Ver. 3. For I was my father's son,] q.d., I that am now so famous for wisdom, was once as wise as a wild ass's colt. But I had the happiness to be taught and tutored by the best and wisest man in his generation, and therefore you should the rather regard my doctrine. Plato praised God that he was pupil to Socrates, Bucholcerus that he was bred under Melanchthon, Mr Whately under Mr Dod's ministry, and I under Mr Ballam's, at Evesham. Holy David was far beyond any of these, as being divinely inspired, and rarely qualified. Such a heart so well headed, and such a head better hearted, was not to be found among the sons of men, for he was "a man after God's own heart." His counsel to his son therefore must needs be very precious and ponderous. See some of it, for a taste, in 1 Chronicles 28:9,10 .
Tender and only beloved.] Filius a φιλος. The Greeks commonly called their children φιλτατα, the Latin chari, darlings, as he in Plautus, Domi domitus fui usque cum charis meis. a I was hardly handled at home, together with my dear children.
In the sight of my mother.] Who had other children; 1Ch 3:5 but Solomon she loved best, because he had most grace. And as a special fruit of her love, she gave him excellent counsel in her "Lemuel's lesson." Pro 31:1-31 His fall was therefore the more blameworthy, because he had been so piously educated.
a Plaut. Menech., Acts 1:1,26, scene 1.