Proverbs 31:1-31 - Outline of Proverbs (Book Notes menu page)

The Words of King Lemuel
A mother's authority to counsel a future King (v.1,2):
  King Lemuel...- There is no record of a king by this name.
    The name means "for God" or "dedicated to God."
  the prophecy {HB=massa', oracle, burden} that his mother taught {disciplined, admonished} him...
    It is probable that this is counsel which Solomon received from his mother, concerning the manner of life suitable to a king, who would truly serve God.
  What my son?...- Her counsel is worthy to be heard.
    For he is her son, not only brought up by her, but brought forth from her own body. Her concern, for his future, had driven her to petition God in his behalf, with vows. Why would he follow any counsel contrary to hers? In harmony with this son's father, she warns him of pitfalls to be avoided, and a right path to be followed (Pro 6:20).
She cautions the future king concerning dangers (v.3-7):

1. Women (v.3) - As we reach the closing chapter of Proverbs,

  we are reminded that Wisdom has repeatedly warned sons of the dangers of the strange woman (eg., Proverbs ch. 5). Solomon's mother conceived a prior son, due to the lust of his father David, while she was the wife of another man (Mat 1:6). She had suffered trauma from that adulterous relationship, grieving first over the death of her husband and then for her infant son. Perhaps Bathsheba, observing in Solomon the weakness of his father, sought to direct him in a better way. Solomon's failure, to heed the voice of wisdom, would lead to the division and eventual downfall of the Davidic kingdom (Deu 17:15-17; 1Kin 11:1-13; Neh 13:23-26).
- Wine (v.4-7) - Solomon, in his search for purpose in life,
    experimented with partying and wine, but found them, like all of man's fleshly works, to be empty (Ecc 2:1-3,11). In the end, he concluded that strong drink and good government do not mix (Ecc 10:17). His mother had previously told him so:
    - 'It is not for kings... to drink wine, nor... strong drink...'
      - lest they forget {or, ignore} the Law.
      - lest they pervert {change, alter} judgment {justice, in legal decisions} (Isa 28:7,8).
    - Wine and strong drink have a limited purpose...
    for the relief of pain at the point of death, and for other limited medicinal purposes (1Tim 5:23).
  She counsels the future king concerning necessities (v.8-31):
  1. Righteous judgment (v.8-9) -
    Great responsibility rests upon the king and all in authority (Deu 1:16,17).
    Perhaps it was his mother's counsel, which led Solomon to ask the Lord for wisdom to govern (1Kin 3:5-9). More than a hundred years later, this wisdom was reflected in the instructions of Jehoshaphat (Solomon's great-great-grandson), to the judges who served under him (2Chr 19:4-11).
- A good wife (v.10-31) -
  - who can find...? -
      The implication is that he, who searches and finds, will be well rewarded.
  - a virtuous woman...-
      In English, the word "virtue" usually refers to moral integrity and honesty. However, the Hebrew word {HB=chayil} has broader application, referring to 'valour' {strength of mind, bravery in battle; eg., Judg 6:12}, or to 'ability' {business acumen, financial strength; Boaz was a "mighty man of 'wealth'," Ruth 2:1}. The word speaks of ability, determinaton, and strength of character. In all of these points, Ruth was a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11).
  - Her virtue affects:
    1. her husband (v.10-12) -
       - the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her... (v.11,12)
           He need not fear that she will run up a terrible credit card debt or spend all his money (taking a spoil of him). She is a true help-meet, complementing and completing her husband. They move forward, together, to find and fulfill God's purpose for them. (Gen 2:20-24)
    2. her occupation (v.13-19)- defined by initiative, enterprise, and industry:
       - obtaining supplies and raw materials (v.13,14)
       - providing for her family (v.15)
       - investing in business (v.16)
       - displaying ability, quality, and tireless strength (v.17-19)
           She gladly illustrates the old adage:
           "Man works from sun to sun, but a woman's work is never done."
    3. her character (v.20): Showing charity toward the poor, Pro 19:17; 22:9
    4. her household (v.21)- prepared with adequate clothing for winter weather.
    5. her person (v.22)- well dressed.
  - Her virture overflows to such a degree, that its benefits are effectively doubled towards...
    [Note that the five points, below (v.23-29), duplicate those, above (v.10-22). GWms]
    1. her husband... is known in the gates... among the elders... (v.23)
         There is truth in the old adage: "Behind every good man is a good woman."
         As she labors for the welfare of her family, she also supports her husband in his calling, and enables him to fulfill his responsibilities outside of the home. In biblical times, the elders sat in chambers at the gates of walled cities, to judge and record legal matters and important transactions (eg., Ruth 4:1-11).
    2. her occupation (v.24-25) - Not only does she obtain quality materials (v.13,14), but...
       - she makes and sells garments.
       - her products are known for their superior quality.
           eg., Acts 9:36-39 (Dorcas); 1Tim 2:9,10; 1Pet 5:5,6)
    3. her character (v.26) -
         She speaks with wisdom and kindness (eg., Abigail, 1Sam 25:23-35; 1Pet 3:1-9)
    4. her household (v.27) - is well managed under her ceaseless attentive oversight.
    5. her person (v.28,29) -
       - She is praiseworthy and praised - by her children and husband.
       - She excels other women in strength of character and ability.
           The ideal wife (as seen in this chapter), is on a level above most other "virtuous" women. Each is called to serve according to the gifts and abilities, which God has bestowed upon her. No woman, who serves the Lord faithfully, should allow herself to be discouraged that in her own estimation, she falls short of the "super-woman" pictured here. Of necessity, this passage depicts the activity and industry that men can observe. But the Lord sees and judges the hearts (1Cor 4:5). His evaluation looks upon her fear of the Lord, rather than upon external beauty (v.30). He also sees the hidden tears and weighs the burdens of the brokenhearted.
    In verse 30, the son is given a summary of what he ought to look for in a wife.
      A man would be wise to seek a virtuous woman, in whom his heart can safely trust (v.11). He would be a fool to give his heart to many women (v.2,3), or to the strange woman, who will draw him into debauchery, disgrace and destruction. The contrast, between the 'virtuous' and the 'strange' woman, highlights, once again, the divide between the Wisdom of God (Pro 8:1-8) and the deceptive lure of spiritual adultery (Pro 7:21-27).
    - Favour {graciousness} can be deceitful {ie., false, disappointing}. v.30; eg., Pro 7:14-18
    - External beauty is vain {lit., as a vapor, vanishing}. Good looks will not last.
        But their deceptive attraction can leave lasting consequences (eg., 2Sam 11:2).
    A woman who fears the Lord... shall be...
    - praised {HB=halal} - not only by husband and children (v.28),
      but especially by the One who is worthy of all praise (1Cor 4:5; Mat 25:20-23).
  - rewarded according to her works (v.31) 1Cor 3:12-15

This concludes the study in the narrative sections of Proverbs.
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