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Proverbs 31:1-9

Listen to Proverbs 31:1-9

Sayings of King Lemuel

1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Do not spend your strength[a] on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and 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.

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Proverbs 31:1-9 Study Resources

Sermons

Empowering the Next Generation
Empowering the Next Generation
Jill Briscoe

How are you pouring into those younger than yourself? What kind of legacy are you building to leave for your children? Jill Briscoe takes us to Proverbs 31:1-9 to ponder the words King Lemuel wrote fondly about his mother and the faith she passed along to him.Whatever age or stage we’re at, God calls us to be a blessing to the next generation. The gifts God has given us never age, and they’re supposed to be used. Jill encourages us to start loving, teaching, and praying for the younger ones coming along. The impact will be not only on the next generation, but for eternity!

Empowering the Next Generation, Part 2
Empowering the Next Generation, Part 2
Stuart and Jill Briscoe

How are you pouring into those younger than yourself? What kind of legacy are you building to leave for your children? Jill Briscoe takes us to Proverbs 31:1-9 to ponder the words King Lemuel wrote fondly about his mother and the faith she passed along to him. Whatever age or stage we’re at, God calls us to be a blessing to the next generation. The gifts God has given us never age, and they’re supposed to be used. Jill encourages us to start loving, teaching, and praying for the younger ones coming along. The impact will be not only on the next generation, but for eternity!

Empowering the Next Generation, Part 1
Empowering the Next Generation, Part 1
Stuart and Jill Briscoe

How are you pouring into those younger than yourself? What kind of legacy are you building to leave for your children? Jill Briscoe takes us to Proverbs 31:1-9 to ponder the words King Lemuel wrote fondly about his mother and the faith she passed along to him. Whatever age or stage we’re at, God calls us to be a blessing to the next generation. The gifts God has given us never age, and they’re supposed to be used. Jill encourages us to start loving, teaching, and praying for the younger ones coming along. The impact will be not only on the next generation, but for eternity!

Grow Up and Speak Up Part 1
Grow Up and Speak Up Part 1
Damian Kyle

Without a doubt our mothers have a unique and powerful influence on the lives of their children.  Those of you with a godly mother, as I have, can look back over the years and see and appreciate the wisdom they imparted to us.  Their passion, relationship to us, and desire for our good, is like no other!  And they also are good about warning us too too!  Today on According to the Scriptures we’ll hear the wisdom of a Mother from Proverbs chapter 31, that we can all stand to benefit from.  

Cross References 10

  • 1. S Proverbs 22:17
  • 2. S Judges 11:30; Isaiah 49:15
  • 3. S Deuteronomy 17:17; S 1 Kings 11:3; Nehemiah 13:26; Proverbs 5:1-14
  • 4. S Proverbs 20:1; Ecclesiastes 10:16-17; Isaiah 5:22
  • 5. S 1 Kings 16:9
  • 6. S Proverbs 16:12; Hosea 4:11
  • 7. S Genesis 14:18
  • 8. S Esther 1:10
  • 9. S 1 Samuel 19:4; Job 29:12-17
  • 10. Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16; S Proverbs 24:23; Proverbs 29:7; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:16

Footnotes 1

  • [a] Or "wealth"

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