Proverbs 31

He next adverts to the horse-leech and her two daughters, to which he compares four insatiable things—the grave, the barren womb, the thirsty desert, and the devouring flame; neither of which ever say, “It is enough.” Four things are enumerated, which disturb the peace of mankind: “a servant” (or slave) when he assumes the reins of government, and a rich and pampered fool, who lives only to gratify his vulgar propensities. Also “an odious,” ill-tempered woman, or an artful female slave, who supplants her mistress in the affections of her master; either of which is seen to tyrannize over all who are subjected to her control. Four creatures are then brought forward, insignificant in size, but remarkable for sagacity; the ant, the cony, the locust, and the spider, or pheasish [lizard], and four others, remarkable for strength and dignity of carriage.

It is somewhat singular that a king should be made the last of these animals, and is only to be accounted for from an idea that the several virtues of these creatures all go to form the character of a great and wise prince; as, for instance, the industry of the ants, the instinct of the conies, the associated power of the locusts, the domestic character of the spider, or lizard; the strength of the lion, the activity of the greyhound, and the portly dignity of the he-goat, which, in the prophet Daniel, ((Proverbs 8)) is considered to be an emblem of Alexander the Great, against whom there was indeed “no rising up.” Chap. XXXI. Ver. 1—31. The instructions of a mother to her royal son.—From the principle of monopolizing to their own nation the wisdom of all others, some Rabbinical writers have attributed these two last chapters to Solomon, under the names of Agur and Lemuel, but we conceive without the least authority.

Of Agur we have already professed our ignorance, and Lemuel is to us equally unknown. All we can ascertain is, that his mother was a virtuous and intelligent woman, and that her son was a king, though at this time, probably, a minor. The words here delivered, are not pretended to be his own, though written down by him; but those which his mother taught him. The address begins with an animated apostrophe, “‘What, my son,” &c., meaning, “What shall I say? ‘What important instruction shall I now address to thee?” She then cautions him against intemperance, in either women or wine, as liable to make him forget the law, or pervert equity in giving judgment. The great use of wine, she tells him, is medicinal; to support the strength of those who were sinking under their afflictions, or to cheer the heart of those who were overwhelmed with grief.

She next admonishes him to open his mouth, and plead the cause of the oppressed, who were unable to defend themselves. What follows is a beautiful portrait of the virtuous woman and the faithful wife. We may reasonably infer, that in this she unintentionally portrayed her own character. To dilate it by an exposition, would only weaken its effect; and it needs no comment; ‘her own words, as well as works, shall praise her.”

Notes on the verses

_ Chap. XXXI. Ver. 1. The words of king Lemuel.—This line is so perplexing, that some learned men have concluded there must be some error in the text; and Dr. Boothroyd, by a change of one letter only, reads, ‘The words of his mother to the king.” But then we have Lemuel again, verse 4, and those who reject the name in the first line, are obliged to make another conjectural emendation, to which we feel ourselves very averse. Who this Lemuel was, however, can only be conjectured. Most suppose it to have been Solomon, and the address given him by his mother, Bathsheba. But this also is mere supposition. Where we know nothing, it seems wisest to be silent.—The prophecy.—Not a prediction, but an oracle, expressing some weighty and important truth.

See note on ver. 1, of the chapter preceding. Ver. 10. Who can find? &c.—This is the commencement of an alphabetical poem, each verse beginning consecutively with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet; in which we are presented with an admirable picture of a good wife, according to the praise manners of the East. J—Bagster. Ver. 13. She seeketh wool, &c.—It is certain that women of rank, not only among the Hebrews, but also among the Greeks and Romans, were thus laudably employed. See Orient. Cust. No. 1035—1037.; Ver. 19. Hands to the spindle.—(She takes the spindle in her right second [hand], in twisting which she twists the thread: while she holds the distaff, on which the wool or flax is rolled, in the guard of the left arm, and draws down the thread with the fingers of the left hand.)

]—Bagster. Ver. 22. Silk.—Holden, “Fine linen.” He supposes silk then unknown. Ver. 23. Known in the gates—that is, he is a magistrate. Ver. 29. Many daughters (i.e. of Israel) have done virtuously, &c.—This runs over on the following verses, may be considered as the commendation of her husband. Ver. 31. Praise her in the gates—that is, her husband, who is well known in the gates, being clothed by her industry, this excites the commendation of his associates of the higher classes.