Proverbs 31:1-9

1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.

2 What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?

3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

5 For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.

6 Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

7 Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

8 Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

9 Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.

Proverbs 31:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 31

This chapter contains the last part of the book of Proverbs; which some reckon the fifth, others the sixth. It contains the instructions of the mother of a prince, whose name was Lemuel, which she gave unto him; and which are so valuable, as to be annexed to the proverbs of Solomon. The preface or introduction to them is in Pr 31:1; the address to her son, Pr 31:2. The vices she cautions him against are uncleanness and intemperance; which she dissuades from, because of the pernicious consequences of both to kings and to their subjects, Pr 31:3-5. Advises rather to give wine and strong drink to poor people, such as are in distress; as being more useful to them, at least less prejudicial, Pr 31:6,7; and exhorts her son to the duties of his office; by pleading the cause of the poor and injured, and administering justice to them, Pr 31:8,9. And then at large describes a virtuous woman; perhaps designed as an instruction to her son in the choice of a wife, Pr 31:10-31; though more than that may be intended by it.