If so, then the father and mother from whom he received instruction (in v.3) are David and Bathsheba. But this could well be David speaking as recorded by Solomon (in the second person, as the recipient of instruction), in which case, v.3 looks back to David's parents, Jesse and his wife. In either case, the parents speak with the wisdom gained through life experience, as they applied the instruction which they themselves received from their parents.
Their counsel is that wisdom must be retained {ie., seized, grasped, held securely}, kept {guarded, observed}, gotten {acquired, purchased, possessed}, not forgotten {not ignored}, not declined from {not stretched or bent}, not forsaken {not left behind, not abandoned}. The benefits of wisdom (ie., to be preserved and kept by it), are for those who preserve and guard the Word which they have heard. The natural tendency is to let the words of wisdom drift away. Heb 2:1; Jam 1:23-25
Love her...- Those who truly love God and His Word will keep it (Joh 14:23,24).
v.7-10 - Wisdom is the principal thing...- ie., It is first in order of priority.
It is first in importance. It is chief among pursuits. Wisdom is of greater importance than knowledge. Knowledge can be misapplied. But wisdom knows what to do with what it knows. So, wisdom and knowledge must work together.
Those who exalt {esteem highly} Wisdom will be promoted {lifted up} by it... to: honor (v.8, worth in the sight of men), grace {ie., favor, before God and man}, glory (v.9, ie., moral beauty), and long life (v.10).
v.11-17 - Wisdom, speaking from experience, identifies two paths which the children will encounter:
This is the straight and narrow way of which Jesus spoke (Mat 7:13,14). The entrance to this path is very narrow (Joh 10:9), but those, who follow it, find the path leads to true freedom and unfettered service for the Lord (Joh 10:10).
The Lord Himself watches the steps of those on this path. Whether walking or running, they are kept from stumbling (falling). cp. Jer 31:9 (re: Israel's restoration and return to the land); 2Sam 22:33,34,37 and Psa 18:36-f (re: David's testimony)
tends to life (v.13) - "wisdom... she is thy life." -
God's Word not only leads to life, it is life for those who heed it.
cp. Eccl 7:12 (wisdom vs. money); Joh 6:68 (Peter's declaration: "...to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.")
is the path of the just (those judged to be righteous, Joh 5:24)
is a path of light, leading to a brighter day. As dawn yields to bright noon. So, those who follow the "day star" will enjoy the day when the sun is fully risen.
Joh 8:12; Php 2:15,16; 2Pet 1:19 (Christ is the day star, observed by believers, who watch for the day of His return.); 2Sam 23:3,4 (David's hope)
- guarded against impure sights and thoughts (Mat 5:27,28)
feet...- What you do... Where you go...
Ponder {weigh carefully} the direction of your life. Psa 119:5,6; Eph 5:15-17 (where 'circumspectly' means to be 'watchful, discreet, prudent', lit., 'looking around,' ie., taking everything into consideration. This is the opposite of being rash, impetuous, or injudicious.)