The Study of Proverbs
31:1-9
We are at the end of the book of Proverbs. As some have noted, Proverbs began with wise instructions
from a father (1:8a) and now it ends with wise instructions from a mother. The father gave some
warnings beginning in 1:8 and the mother gives some warnings beginning in 31:3. The father’s
instructions were not only warnings but also positive instructions (1:2-9). The mother’s warnings were
followed up with positive instructions as well (31:10ff)
The book of Proverbs/wisdom is sandwiched in by a dad and a mom. The home is the first/greatest
place for teaching and preparing sons and daughters in the way of the Lord. I believe it has been given to
us as parents as a responsibility and not an option to choose from.
Wisdom from mom 1-9
(1) Who is he? We do not know for sure if King Lemuel is Solomon. Commentators are divided over this.
There is no mention of a King Lemuel anywhere else. IF this is Solomon, his mother, Bathsheba, has had
a great and godly influence on him. “Lemuel” means “dedicated to God” or “belonging to God.” She has
dedicated him to the Lord (2).
Keep in mind that this is “the utterance which his mother taught him.” His mother named Lemuel,
dedicated him, and now continues to teach him. In the end, the content of this chapter is more
important than who it is addressed to, since God has preserved it for us.
(2) What does she have to say? Before giving her wise instructions she prefaces it basically with “What
shall I say to you, and what gems of wisdom will I pass on to you, my son, whom I have dedicated to the
Lord?” 1 The repetition in this verse indicates her serious approach to him with her words.
(3) First warning – The word “women” is plural. Lemuel’s mother warns him of giving himself to multiple
women. This is a warning against sexual promiscuity. It would be his downfall like other kings (3b). Aside
from who King Lemuel is, Solomon’s downfall was many women and women who brought in pagan
gods. (See I Kings 11:1ff)
(4-7) Second warning – Kings were the top administers of justice. Wine and intoxicating beverages could
“weaken reason and judgment, loosen convictions, or pervert the heart.” 2 Lemuel might “forget the
law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted.” His mother told him to totally avoid these beverages.
There were no pharmacies to dispense the pain killers we have readily available today. So in vv. 6-7 she
says to “give strong drink to those who are perishing…” MacArthur says, “Such extreme situations,
possibly relating to a criminal on death row or someone agonizing in pain with a terminal illness or tragic
circumstance, are in utter contrast to that of the king (cf. Ps. 104:15).” 3 Of these two verses, J. Vernon
McGee simply says, “She tells Solomon to use wine for medicine.” (Thru the Bible Commentary)
1
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 870). Nashville: Thomas
Nelson.
2 MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 921). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.
3 Ibid
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Proverbs Lesson 57
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(8-9) Speak up King! The king is encouraged to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves
(The speechless, those who are dying, and the poor and needy). What a powerful force for
righteousness the king could be in this. How often did it happen in that day? How often does it happen
today? One day, in the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, it will happen. See Proverbs 23:10-11.
A little Extra:
Respect in the Home
Proverbs has much to say about the home. When children walk in wisdom, they bring joy to their
parents (10:1; 15:20; 17:21, 25; 19:26; 23:24-25). It is tragic when children do not respect their parents
(23:22; 30:17), when they speak evil of them (20:20), waste their money with the wrong friends (28:7;
29:3), and rob their parents (28:24). Early discipline helps a child learn to respect parental authority and
appreciate parental love (13:24; 19:18; 22:15). (Warren Wiersbe, Chapter-By-Chapter Bible Commentary, Thomas
Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1991, p. 434)
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Proverbs Lesson 57
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