Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:1

THe words of king Lemuel] That is, of Solomon, who was called Lemuel, that is, of God, because God had ordained him to be king over Israel, rather then any of his elder brethren, 1 King. 2. 15, 22.

the prophecie that his mother taught him] The doctrine which his mother Bathsheba taught him.

Proverbs 31:2

What, my son?] She takes care what was most needfull to teach him.

the son of my womb?] By this often repetition of this word, son, she declareth her motherly affection.

the son of my vows?] Whom I made many vows to God for, before I had thee, as 1 Samuel 1:11. Or, that thou mightest be king.

Proverbs 31:3

Give not thy strength unto women] Solomon was forewarned to avoid wantonnesse by his mother here, and by his father, Chap. 5. 9. yet he fell into it. Wisdom and instruction fail of their fruit oftentimes.

nor thy wayes to that which destroyeth kings] Meaning, that women are the destruction of kings, if they haunt them, Chap. 7. 26.

Proverbs 31:4

it is not for kings to drink wine] That is, the king must not give himself unto immoderate drinking, Eccles. 10. 16, 17. and so neglect his office, which is to execute judgement.

Proverbs 31:5

Lest they drink, and forget the law] For wine doth comfort the heart, Psalms 104:15.

of any of the afflicted] Heb. of all the sons of affliction.

Proverbs 31:6

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that be of heavy hearts] Psalms 104:15.

of heavy hearts] Heb. bitter of soul.

Proverbs 31:8

Open thy mouth for the dumb] Defend their cause that are in great danger, and unable to help themselves, Chap. 24. 11.

such as are appointed to destruction] Heb. the sons of destruction.

Proverbs 31:9

judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy] Leviticus 19:15. Deuteronomy 1:16.

Proverbs 31:10

Who can finde a vertuous woman] Chap. 12. 4. This commendation of a good wife is set out elegantly in the Hebrew. Every verse to the end of the chapter begins with a severall Hebrew letter, according to the Alphabet: as divers choice Psalms do.

Proverbs 31:11

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her] Commits with confidence the houshold affairs to her, as Potiphar did to Joseph, Gen. 39. 4, 6.

he shall have no need of spoil] He shall not need to get riches by indirect means, as souldiers do; for his wife will fill his house with goods, as the camp is full after the spoil of a citie: Or, spoils may be put here for all manner of provision. See the like, Psalms 111:5.

Proverbs 31:14

she bringeth her food from afar] She sells her cloth to the merchant for things needfull, verse 24.

Proverbs 31:15

giveth meat to her houshold] As a lion riseth betimes to get a prey, that may serve him and his all the day: so doth she rise her self, and raise her maids betimes, to get food for her family by labour.

meat] Or, prey, Psalms 111:5.

a portion to her maidens] To appoint every one their stint of work, or, of meat.

Proverbs 31:16

and buyeth it] She purchaseth it with the gains of her travell.

buyeth] Heb. taketh.

with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard] She not onely looks that her servants work, but works her self also, verse 27.

Proverbs 31:17

She girdeth her loyns with strength] She useth vigilancie and diligence, in her labour, 2 Kings 4:29.

Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth] Heb. She tasteth.

She perceiveth] Or, When she perceiveth.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good] As a man that tastes of some delicate meat, thinks he never can eat enough of it: so she finding profit come in, works the harder.

Proverbs 31:19

She layeth her hands to the spindle] She not onely gets to maintain her family, but also to give to the poor, which she doth liberally, not with one hand alone, but with both, when need is.

and her hands] Or, then her hands.

Proverbs 31:20

She stretcheth] Heb. she spreadeth.

Proverbs 31:21

scarlet] Or, double garments.

Proverbs 31:22

She maketh her self coverings of tapestry] For beds.

Proverbs 31:23

Her husband is known] Noted, because of his wives good huswifery, or by the good cloaths she makes him.

in the gates] In the assemblies and places of judgement, Chap. 1. 21. Rth 4:1.

Proverbs 31:24

and selleth it] She not onely provides cloth for her family, but also to sell, and for a great price.

Proverbs 31:25

and she shall rejoyce in time to come] Or, and she laugheth at the time to come. That is, she is so well provided of all things necessary for her family, that she fears no want. See Job 5. 21, 22.

Proverbs 31:26

She openeth her mouth with wisdom] She teacheth her children and servants, not onely the fear of God, but also how to labour, and get a living, and also how to be provident, that they may be bountifull to the poor in future times.

Proverbs 31:28

Her children arise up] To do reverence to her, when she comes in, and they speak highly of her, as well living as dead.

her] Or, her saying, as Psalms 105:15.

Proverbs 31:29

Many daughters have done vertuously] This is the commendation her husband and children give her.

have done vertuously] Or, have gotten riches.

excellest them all] Heb. ascendest above them all.

Proverbs 31:30

a woman that feareth the Lord] Before he spake of the apparell of her body, now he declareth the apparell of her minde, which is the fear of God, and what is her greatest ornament, 1 Pet. 3. 4, 5. whether joyned with beauty, or severed from it.

she shall be praised] Heb. shall praise her self. That is, shall give just cause to all men to praise her, verse 31.

Proverbs 31:31

Give her of the fruit of her hands] Confesse her diligent labours, and commend her therefore.

let her own works praise her in the gates] Forasmuch as the most honourable are clad in the apparell that she made, Acts 9:39. Or, let them speak in the publike assemblies of her curious works, to her great praise, when she is dead and gone. She shall have praise both in publike and private.