This verse introduces some specific instruction that Solomon will share with his son. But the introduction itself is instructive to parents. Simply put, the wise father is invested in his son. He is interested not just in laying out the rules, but he wants his heart. This desire for his heart is not that remarkable. We all want our children’s heart. But no one has ever gained that which they did not personally invest in. So he gains his son’s heart by sharing his own life. “Observe my ways.” In other words, he is giving his life to his son. “I want you to hear me, and I want you to watch me.” Not to be too simplistic, but the only way the son can watch the father is to be with the father. Men, sometimes we probably make parenting too complex in our minds. Solomon’s advice here really just mimics God’s own parenting philosophy. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the gift of the Father to walk alongside of us, to invest in us, allowing us to both hear and observe Him. Today, if you are struggling to gain the heart of your son, I would encourage you to start making some investments of time and openness with you son.