He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
Ver. 4. He taught me also.] As Cato taught his own children, and took it for no disgrace, though so great a man. "Nurture" is as necessary for children as nourishment, Eph 6:4 which they that neglect to bestow upon them. are peremptores potius quam parentes - not parents, but parricides. One cause of Julian's apostasy was his two heathenish tutors, Libanius and Jamblicus, from whom he drank in great profaneness. Doubtless David had Nathan the prophet, and the best he could get, to breed up his son in the best things, but yet so as himself had a main stroke in the business.
And said unto me.] Jacobus Valentinus, a and some others, grounded an opinion from these words, that Solomon received this whole book of Proverbs following from his father David; but that is no way likely. The substance of his father's doctrine he briefly sets forth in this and the five following verses, and then proceeds in his own words.
Retain my words.] As the good stomach doth food; as the good earth doth seed; that is, bene occatum, et occultatum, saith one.
a Praefat. in Cant. Cantic.