John Gill Commentary Proverbs 17:25

"A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him." — Proverbs 17:25 (ASV)

A foolish son [is] a grief to his father
Because of his folly and wickedness, and the ruin he is bringing himself to; and bitterness to her that bore him;
a cause of bitterness of soul to his mother, more distressing than the bitter pains with which she brought him forth into the world. Jarchi, by the father, understands the blessed God; and by her that bore him, the congregation of Israel; to whom Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, was bitterness, who caused Israel to sin; see (Proverbs 10:1) .