Proverbs 31

CHAPTER 31The final chapter of Proverbs is designated as the words of King Lemuel. A popular title would be, “Advice on how to choose a wife.”

Proverbs 31:1

I believe this chapter was written by Solomon. There is no king named Lemuel. The name that God gave to Solomon is Jedidiah, which means “beloved of the Lord” (2Sa_12:25); the name Lemuel means “devoted to the Lord.” My guess is that this was the pet name that Bathsheba had for Solomon. I have a notion that every man reading this can remember a pet name that his mother had for him. You would almost be ashamed to say what it was, wouldn’t you? Probably Solomon’s mother had a pet name for him, and I think it was Lemuel. Around the palace you probably could have heard her calling, “Lemuel.” This was a mother’s advice to her son. It makes a great Mother’s Day sermon, by the way.

Proverbs 31:2

Bathsheba is asking, “What can I say to you?” She needed to say something, because she saw in this boy Solomon some of the characteristics of his father David. She well remembered the sin of David. I don’t think it was her sin; I think it was David’s sin. In the first chapter of Matthew it says, “…and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias” (Mat_1:6). Bathsheba’s name is not even mentioned. I believe God is making it clear that it was David’s sin. She sees the temptation that Solomon faces; so she gives him words of advice. “What, my son? What can I say to you, son of my womb? You’re my precious boy, the son of my vows"she had dedicated him to God.

Proverbs 31:3

She knew David.

Proverbs 31:4

We are told that every day in Washington there are many cocktail parties for our government officials. Republicans and Democrats both have this in commonthe party membership doesn’t make any difference. It is tragic to have drinking men in high positions of government!

Proverbs 31:6

She tells Solomon to use wine for medicine.

Proverbs 31:8

Oh, Solomon, be honest and just and fair! Now she goes on to tell him how to choose a wife. This is good advice. It is God’s advice.

Proverbs 31:10

“Virtuous” here means a woman of character, a woman of strength, a woman of real ability. She is not to be a shrinking violet. She is not to be like Whistler’s mother, always sitting in a rocking chair. (A whimsical story is told that Whistler painted another picture of his mother, because he came in one day and found her sitting on the floor and said to her, “Mother, you’re off your rocker.”) I don’t think you will find many mothers sitting in rocking chairs. They are busy. This is the picture of a busy mother:

Proverbs 31:11

She will be faithful. “He shall have no need of spoil.” She will not be a spendthrift with her husband’s money. She will be a helpmate or a helpmeet for him. God never intended woman to be a servant of man. She is to be his partner, and a real partner. When God made Eve to be a helpmeet, He made the other half of Adam. Adam was only half a man until God made Eve and gave her to him.

Proverbs 31:12

She is a real helpmeet.

Proverbs 31:13

She doesn’t mind working.

Proverbs 31:14

She looks for bargains to spend the money wisely.

Proverbs 31:15

She knows how to keep a house. She runs a night shift and is a wonderful mother. I do not recall any time when I was growing up as a boy that I got up in the morning and found my mother in bed. I just thought about that the other day. Later on when she became old, it was different, of course. But when I was a boy, by the time I got out of bed, she was up, and breakfast was usually ready and on the table.

Proverbs 31:16

She is a woman of ability. She runs her household well.

Proverbs 31:18

She proves the adage, “Man’s work is from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done.”

Proverbs 31:19

She is a generous person.

Proverbs 31:21

I was remembering that my mother kept my pants patched when I was a boy.

Proverbs 31:26

She is both wise and kind in her advice and admonitions.

Proverbs 31:30

Young man, first you should look for a wife who is a Christian. Then I hope that you get a good-looking one in the bargainit’s nice to have both together. “A woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” This is of prime importance.

Proverbs 31:31

I guess this is the reason we have Mother’s Day, a day to honor our mothers. However, there are many mothers who are not worthy of the tribute given to mothers on Mother’s Day. This Book of Proverbs has been a book for young men. Also it is a wonderful book for young ladies. In fact, we all can learn from the wisdom in this remarkable book.