Proverbs 15:20 Commentary and Bible Study

This proverb is almost the same as Proverbs 10:1, but changes the second half to move the focus from the grief of the mother to the foolishness of the son who causes that grief. ‘A wise son makes a glad father.’ The two things are put next to each other by Solomon, but it is almost as if the son is unaware of the effect of what he is doing on his father, and is entirely absorbed with the pursuit of wisdom. Nevertheless there is nothing that pleases the father more than to see the successful outcome of his parenting and the coming into existence of a son who brings credit to his father. The same is true in the second part of the proverb. The man in mind who is also a son does not necessarily consciously despise his mother. The point is that he might as well do so because his life causes her as much pain as if he were to openly express his hatred for her. Again, it is assumed that these are loving and good parents. What grief she suffers as a result of his foolishness. He makes all the wrong choices in life, and falls into the traps which he has been warned against time and time again. The mother loves her son and cannot bear to see the sorrow and punishment which he brings on himself.Why does Solomon use essentially the same proverb again? Does the variation in it account for its reuse and make a sufficiently distinct point for it to be considered a different proverb? Though there is variation, the re-inclusion of this proverb must be explained also by the different setting in which it is found. Here we are looking at spiritual joy and happiness. There is joy in the heart of every parent both literal and metaphorical in the reproduction of wisdom in their offspring. The Lord delights in the wise conduct of his children as is drawn out in Proverbs 10:1, but this is also true of pastors and teachers in the church, and of everyone who takes care of the spiritual welfare of others, even though they simply offer a brief word of encouragement; every more experienced believer in the church is a parent to younger Christians.