Proverbs 22:19

King James Version (KJV)

That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known, etc. - III. The End for which the wise man gives these instructions: -

"That thy trust may be in the Lord." That thou mayest acknowledge Him as the Fountain of all good; and refer every thing to him.

That this end may be accomplished, the instructions are specific and particular: "I have made known to thee, even to thee."

And this has not only been done in times past, "I have made known:" but even in the present, "I have made known this day!"

IV. An appeal is made to the person himself relative to the matter and importance of the teaching.

"Have I not written to thee excellent things;" שלשים shalishim, literally threefold, thrice, in three different ways; which some think refers to his three books: -

Song of Solomon.

Koheleth, or Ecclesiastes.

Proverbs.

Others, understanding it of the voice of Divine wisdom, suppose the three grand divisions of the sacred oracles are intended; viz.,

The Law;

The Prophets;

The Hagiographa.

And others interpret it of the three grand intellectual sciences: -

Morality, or Ethics.

Natural Philosophy, or Physics.

Theology, or the science of Divine things as reported in the Scriptures. But Solomon's books of Natural Philosophy are lost.

And lastly, some of the rabbins and some Christians find in these shalishim the three senses of Scripture:

Literal;

Figurative;

Allegorical.

After all, as we know the term thrice was used as the term seven, a certain number for an uncertain, (see Amos 1:11; 2 Corinthians 12:8;), it may mean no more here than, I have written to thee often. But perhaps it is safer to apply it to the Scriptures, and the excellent doctrines they contain: for שלשים shalishim signifies also excellent, princely things; things which become a king to speak. Indeed, it would not be difficult to prove that there is not one important art or science which is not alluded to in the Holy Scriptures, and used to illustrate and inculcate heavenly truths.

These excellent, princely, or threefold teachings, consist of two grand parts:

Counsels, מעצות moetsoth, from יוץ yaats, to give advice, counsel, or information. These (1) show thee what thou shouldst know; and (2) advise thee what thou shouldst do.

Knowledge, דעת daath, from ידע yada, to perceive, or feel by means of the senses and internal perception; viz., what should be felt, experienced, known to be true by mental perception, and by their influence on the heart and affections.

V. All this is done to give the pupil the fullest satisfaction, and most plenary evidence concerning the truths of God.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Even to thee - The wide general character of the teaching does not hinder its being a personal message to every one who reads it.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

To these words, to this knowledge, the ear must be bowed down, and the heart applied by faith and love. To live a life of delight in God and dependence on him, is the foundation of all practical religion. The way to know the certainty of the word of truth, is to make conscience of our duty. 22,23. He that robs and oppresses the poor, does so at his peril. And if men will not appear for them, God will. 24,25. Our corrupt hearts have so much tinder in them, that it is dangerous to have to do with those that throw about the sparks of their passion. 26,27. Every man ought to be just to himself, and his family; those are not so, who, by folly or other carelessness, waste what they have. 28. We are taught not to trespass on another man's right. And it is hard to find a truly industrious man. Such a man will rise. Seest thou a man diligent in the business of religion? He is likely to excel. Let us then be diligent in God's work.

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Ellen G. White
The Ministry of Healing, 447-8

The widespread use of such books at this time is one of the cunning devices of Satan. He is seeking to divert the minds of old and young from the great work of character building. He means that our children and youth shall be swept away by the soul-destroying deceptions with which he is filling the world. Therefore he seeks to divert their minds from the word of God and thus prevent them from obtaining a knowledge of those truths that would be their safeguard. MH 447.1

Never should books containing a perversion of truth be placed in the hands of children or youth. Let not our children, in the very process of obtaining an education, receive ideas that will prove to be seeds of sin. If those with mature minds had nothing to do with such books, they would themselves be far safer, and their example and influence on the right side would make it far less difficult to guard the youth from temptation. MH 447.2

We have an abundance of that which is real, that which is divine. Those who thirst for knowledge need not go to polluted fountains. The Lord says: MH 447.3

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Proverbs 22:19