David was not father of the year. He may not have spent enough time with his children, and he did not seem to discipline them. Yet it is easy to cast stones at him from this distance, and no one would want their own weaknesses exposed in the world's most read book. Sometimes all we think about are David's sins, shortcomings, and failings, but Solomon's words in Proverbs 4 show a fuller picture. Solomon says his father taught him, told him to retain his words and keep his commands, and led him in right paths. Solomon took the good from David and discarded the bad, rather than wasting time complaining that his dad yelled at him. He still loved his father and worked out the role of a father. A poor father is better than no father, because a poor father can grow into the position and a child can later decide whether his example is worth following. Solomon would not have become the man and king he was had he grown up without David in his life. Solomon benefited greatly from having his father present, and David's teaching shaped the wisdom recorded in Proverbs.