Topical Bible: Parents: Wicked Children, a Cause of Grief To

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The Bible provides numerous accounts and teachings that highlight the profound grief and sorrow experienced by parents due to the wickedness of their children. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the deep emotional and spiritual impact that wayward offspring can have on their families.

One of the most poignant examples is found in the account of Eli, the priest, and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Despite their privileged position, Eli's sons were described as "worthless men" who "had no regard for the LORD" (1 Samuel 2:12). Their sinful actions, which included desecrating the sacrifices and engaging in immoral behavior, brought great distress to Eli. The LORD ultimately pronounced judgment on Eli's house, stating, "I will judge his house forever for the iniquity he knows about, because his sons have blasphemed God, and he has not restrained them" (1 Samuel 3:13). Eli's grief was compounded by his own failure to correct his sons, leading to tragic consequences for his family.

Another example is King David, whose son Absalom rebelled against him. Absalom's insurrection and subsequent death caused David immense heartache. Upon hearing of Absalom's death, David lamented, "O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 18:33). David's grief underscores the deep sorrow that can accompany a child's rebellion, even for a man after God's own heart.

Proverbs, a book rich in wisdom literature, frequently addresses the impact of a child's behavior on their parents. Proverbs 10:1 states, "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother" . Similarly, Proverbs 17:25 notes, "A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him" . These verses highlight the emotional toll that a child's folly can exact on their parents, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and righteousness in family relationships.

The New Testament also touches on this theme. In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus illustrates the heartache of a father whose son squanders his inheritance in reckless living (Luke 15:11-32). The father's grief is palpable, yet the parable also offers a message of hope and redemption, as the son eventually returns and is welcomed back with open arms.

Throughout Scripture, the grief of parents over wicked children serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of godly upbringing. It underscores the responsibility of parents to guide their children in the ways of the Lord, as well as the potential heartache that can result from a child's rebellion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

An Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
... the Lord, and so bring up your children that they ... have come to this Tabernacle with
their parents"nice boys ... have fallen into the hands of a wicked woman, and ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/an appeal to children of.htm

Example.
... manner He blesses a whole posterity for the righteousness of their parents. ... It is
because when a father and mother are wicked, their children grow up ...
/.../baring-gould/the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lviii example.htm

Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.
... old families who fare well and have many children, they owe ... other hand, it is written
of the wicked, Ps.109 ... we call masters are in the place of parents and must ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt honor thy father.htm

Other Self-Asserting Augustae --Verina, Ariadne, Sophia, Martina ...
... to be upon the union; of the children, Flavius had ... Who her parents were, what was
her education, how ... of power were troublous ones to the wicked queen, because ...
/.../women of early christianity/xii other self-asserting augustaeverina ariadne.htm

Treatise iii. On the Lapsed.
... house, or land, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the ... After the
wicked food had been taken, the madness of the mouth ... 3270] Some parents who by ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise iii on the lapsed.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem
... were so neglected that they were the most wicked children in the ... I felt grateful
to God that parents were looking ... Look well to your children: begin at Jerusalem ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/beginning at jerusalem.htm

Thoughts Upon Christian Education.
... Word paideia signifies, that Discipline which Parents ought to exercise over their
Children, to prevent ... falling into, or continuing in any wicked course. ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon christian education.htm

Earliest Memories
... had I been brought up by careless parents I should have become very wicked, and
perhaps ... The children are inseparable, and are quite sufficient company ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter i earliest memories.htm

The Fifth Commandment
... one's eye; so a sin in the wicked is not ... send water again out freely; so, if parents
pour in something of their estate to their children, children worthy of ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm

Earliest Memories
... had I been brought up by careless parents I should have become very wicked, and
perhaps ... The children are inseparable, and are quite sufficient company ...
/.../therese/story of a soul/chapter i - earliest memories.htm