But his father [King David] had never once reprimanded him by saying, "Why did you act this way?" in addition, he was quite handsome and was born after Absalom. - 1 Kings 1:6
There is a proverb (in the Bible) that states, "Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (22:6)."
It seems to me that this is both a good and bad promise. If parents give their children good, biblical instruction, then the possibility (at least) exists that their children will grow up to be good people. On the other hand, if parents do not give their children good, biblical instruction, then their lives will probably turn out much worse.
Perhaps David found it hard to discipline Adonijah after the death of Absalom. We're not really told, but we may learn something from the outcome. The work of a parent is not to teach a child independence through a lack of guidance (letting them find their own way), but rather through good guidance to teach a child how to depend on God.
Isn't that the way we really want them to "go?"
When you teach your son, you teach your son's son. - The Talmud
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