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Proverbs 5:1
My son, attend unto my wisdom,and bow thine ear to my understanding:

Proverbs 6:20,21
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: …

Proverbs 7:1
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.

pay attention to my words;
The call to "pay attention" emphasizes the importance of active listening and engagement with the teachings being presented. In the ancient Near Eastern context, oral tradition was a primary means of education, and listening was crucial for learning and retaining knowledge. This phrase underscores the value of wisdom and understanding, as seen inProverbs 2:1-5, where the pursuit of wisdom is likened to searching for hidden treasures.

incline your ear to my sayings.
To "incline your ear" suggests a deliberate and intentional effort to listen closely and understand. This phrase implies humility and a willingness to be taught, which is a recurring theme in Proverbs. The act of inclining one's ear is also a metaphor for obedience and submission to God's wisdom, as seen inIsaiah 55:3, where God invites His people to listen so that their souls may live. This phrase can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate embodiment of divine wisdom, as described inColossians 2:3, where all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.

- “My son” (Proverbs 4:20) signals loving, fatherly counsel. Solomon is speaking to his own child, yet by the Spirit he also addresses every believer as a child under God’s care (Proverbs 1:8; 3:1).

- Scripture presents God as a Father who “disciplines those He loves” (Hebrews 12:5-6), so this tender address invites humble, teachable hearts (Psalm 25:4-5).

- It reminds us that obedience is rooted in relationship; we heed because we are sons and daughters, not strangers (John 1:12).

- The command is literal: fix your whole attention on the inspired words being spoken.

• Concentration—set aside distractions (Luke 10:39-42).

• Deliberate choice—“Take to heart all the words I testify to you today” (Deuteronomy 32:46).

• Continuous habit—“Store up my commands within you” (Proverbs 7:1-3).

- Faith grows when the Word is given undivided focus (Romans 10:17). Jesus echoed this urgency: “Consider carefully what you hear” (Mark 4:24).

- Literally lean in; there’s physicality to true listening. We bend toward the speaker so nothing is missed (Psalm 78:1).

- This posture shows reverence and eagerness, contrasting the stubborn who “stiffened their neck” (Zechariah 7:11-12).

-James 1:19 pairs the same idea—“Everyone should be quick to listen”—with slow speech and anger, marking listening as first priority.

- Inclining the ear also pictures prayerful dependence: “Incline your ear, and come to Me; listen, that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55:3).

- “Sayings” signals specific, concrete truths, not vague impressions. Each proverb is a God-breathed, reliable statement (2 Timothy 3:16).

- These sayings convey life, wisdom, and protection (Proverbs 4:22).

- Jesus framed His own teaching the same way: “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a wise man” (Matthew 7:24).

- Peter recognized their uniqueness: “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

- We receive them as fully authoritative, joyfully obeying because “the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes” (Psalm 19:8).

Proverbs 4:20 calls every believer, as a beloved child, to lean in with focused attention and eager ears so that God’s life-giving sayings shape heart, mind, and conduct. The verse is a gentle yet urgent invitation: cherish Scripture, listen actively, and live wisely under the Father’s loving voice.