Proverbs 31:1-9

1 The words of King L'mu'el, the prophecy with which his mother disciplined him:

2 No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my vows!

3 Don't give your strength to women or your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 It is not for kings, L'mu'el, not for kings to drink wine; it is not for rulers to ask, "Where can I find strong liquor?"

5 For they may drink, then forget what has been decreed, and pervert the justice due to the poor.

6 Give strong liquor to one who is perishing, wine to the deeply depressed;

7 let him drink, forget his poverty and cease to remember his troubles.

8 Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves, for the rights of all who need an advocate.

9 Speak up, judge righteously, defend the cause of the poor and the needy.

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.