Proverbs 31:3

3 Don't give your strength to women or your power to those who ruin kings.

Proverbs 31:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 31:3

Give not thy strength unto women
Strength of body, which is weakened by an excessive use of venery ^F2 with a multiplicity of women; see, ( Proverbs 5:9 ) ; and strength of mind, reason, and wisdom, which is impaired by conversation with such persons; whereby time is consumed and lost, which should be spent in the improvement of knowledge: or "thy riches", as the Septuagint and Arabic versions, thy substance, which harlots devour, and who bring a man to a piece of bread, as the prodigal was, ( Proverbs 6:26 ) ( Luke 15:30 ) ; and even drain the coffers of kings and princes; nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings;
do not give thy mind to take such courses, and pursue such ways and methods, as bring ruin on kings and kingdoms, as conversation with harlots does; see ( Proverbs 7:26 ) . Some think the design of this advice is to warn against any ambitious views of enlarging his dominions by invading neighbouring countries, and making war with neighbouring kings, to the ruin of them; but the former sense seems best. The Targum is,

``nor thy ways to the daughters of kings.''

Solomon was given to women, who proved very pernicious to him, ( 1 Kings 11:1-5 ) . Some render it, "which destroyeth counsel" ^F3; for whoredom weakens the mind as well as the body.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 "Venus enervat vireis", Avienus.
F3 Don Joseph apud Schindler. col. 990.

Proverbs 31:3 In-Context

1 The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.

2 "What, my son? What, son to whom I gave birth? What, son of my prayers?

3 Don't give your strength to women or your power to those who ruin kings.

4 "It is not for kings, Lemuel. It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor.

5 Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people.