Proverbs 31 Study Notes: King Lemuel and the Noble Wife
King Lemuel's mother warns him against spending his strength on women and against kings craving wine, and she urges him to defend the poor and voiceless. The book closes with an alphabetic poem praising a capable wife for her work, generosity, wisdom, and reverence for the LORD.
General
According to 31:20, how does she treat people who are poor and in need?
Answer: She reaches out to help them with generosity
The woman whose hands hold the spindle (31:19) also welcomes people who are poor and extends her help to those in need (31:20). Her hard work does not make her tight-fisted; it gives her something to share. Proverbs teaches that helping people in poverty is like lending to the LORD (Proverbs 19:17) and that a generous person is blessed because he shares his food with people in need (Proverbs 22:9). God's law commanded Israel to open their hands wide to those in need (Deuteronomy 15:11).
- Proverbs 31:20 (BSB)“She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.”Her hands, busy with work, are also open to the poor and needy.
- Proverbs 19:17 (BSB)“Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.”Kindness to the poor is described as a loan to the LORD, who repays.
- Proverbs 22:9 (BSB)“A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”The generous man is blessed because he shares his bread with the poor.
- Deuteronomy 15:11 (BSB)“For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.”God commands His people to open their hands wide to the poor and needy.
Theological
What does 31:20 say about her conduct toward the poor and those in need?
Answer: She reaches out to help them with generosity
Verse 20 immediately follows the description of her hands at the distaff and spindle (31:19): those same hands are extended toward people in poverty and need. Her industry issues in generosity rather than hoarding. The verse reflects the teaching that generosity toward the needy is lent to the LORD (Proverbs 19:17), that the generous man who shares his bread is blessed (Proverbs 22:9), and the covenant command to be openhanded toward the needy of the land (Deuteronomy 15:11).
- Proverbs 31:20 (BSB)“She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.”Her hands, busy with work, are also open to the poor and needy.
- Proverbs 19:17 (BSB)“Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.”Kindness to the poor is described as a loan to the LORD, who repays.
- Proverbs 22:9 (BSB)“A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”The generous man is blessed because he shares his bread with the poor.
- Deuteronomy 15:11 (BSB)“For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.”God commands His people to open their hands wide to the poor and needy.
General
Which activities does the poem describe her doing in 31:13-24?
Answer: Working wool and flax, buying a field, and selling goods
The poem shows her as skilled and hard-working. She picks out flax and wool and gladly works with her hands (31:13). She looks over a field, buys it, and plants a vineyard with what she has earned (31:16). She spins thread (31:19), makes linen clothing to sell, and supplies sashes to traders (31:24). Her husband, for his part, is respected among the elders at the gate (31:23). Her work is diligent, wise, and productive. Scripture honors this kind of wholehearted labor (Colossians 3:23; Proverbs 10:4), work that also leaves enough to give to others (Ephesians 4:28).
- Proverbs 31:13 (BSB)“She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.”She chooses wool and flax and works willingly.
- Proverbs 31:16 (BSB)“She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.”She considers a field, buys it, and plants a vineyard from her earnings.
- Proverbs 31:24 (BSB)“She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.”She makes and sells linen garments and supplies sashes to merchants.
- Colossians 3:23 (BSB)“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,”Paul urges believers to work wholeheartedly, as for the Lord.
- Proverbs 10:4 (BSB)“Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.”Diligent hands are contrasted with idle ones.
- Ephesians 4:28 (BSB)“He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.”Paul links honest work with having something to share with those in need.
Theological
What kinds of work does 31:13-24 ascribe to her?
Answer: Working wool and flax, buying a field, and selling goods
The poem portrays her industry in detail: she chooses her flax and wool and labors willingly (31:13), evaluates and purchases a field and plants a vineyard from her profits (31:16), works the distaff and spindle (31:19), and manufactures linen garments and sashes for trade (31:24). Her husband, meanwhile, is known among the elders at the gate (31:23). Her labor combines skill, enterprise, and prudence. Such wholehearted work is commended as done unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), contrasted with idleness (Proverbs 10:4), and directed toward having something to share (Ephesians 4:28).
- Proverbs 31:13 (BSB)“She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.”She chooses wool and flax and works willingly.
- Proverbs 31:16 (BSB)“She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.”She considers a field, buys it, and plants a vineyard from her earnings.
- Proverbs 31:24 (BSB)“She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.”She makes and sells linen garments and supplies sashes to merchants.
- Colossians 3:23 (BSB)“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,”Paul urges believers to work wholeheartedly, as for the Lord.
- Proverbs 10:4 (BSB)“Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.”Diligent hands are contrasted with idle ones.
- Ephesians 4:28 (BSB)“He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.”Paul links honest work with having something to share with those in need.
General
What characterizes her speech according to 31:26?
Answer: Wise words and trustworthy teaching
The poem does not only praise her hands but also her words. When she speaks, she speaks with wisdom, and her teaching is faithful and trustworthy (31:26). This fits the whole book of Proverbs, which says much about speech. The righteous person's mouth brings out wisdom (Proverbs 10:31), and a wise heart guides the tongue (Proverbs 16:23). Paul likewise calls believers to speak graciously (Colossians 4:6).
- Proverbs 31:26 (BSB)“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”Her speech is marked by wisdom and faithful instruction.
- Proverbs 10:31 (BSB)“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.”The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom.
- Proverbs 16:23 (BSB)“The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.”A wise heart guides the mouth and makes speech persuasive.
- Colossians 4:6 (BSB)“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”Paul calls for speech that is always gracious.
Theological
How does 31:26 describe the content of her speech?
Answer: Wise words and trustworthy teaching
Her speech is characterized by wisdom and by faithful instruction (31:26), so that the poem praises her words as well as her works. The verse gathers up the book's extensive teaching on the tongue: the righteous mouth brings forth wisdom (Proverbs 10:31), the wise heart instructs the lips (Proverbs 16:23), and in the New Testament believers are called to gracious speech (Colossians 4:6).
- Proverbs 31:26 (BSB)“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”Her speech is marked by wisdom and faithful instruction.
- Proverbs 10:31 (BSB)“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.”The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom.
- Proverbs 16:23 (BSB)“The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.”A wise heart guides the mouth and makes speech persuasive.
- Colossians 4:6 (BSB)“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”Paul calls for speech that is always gracious.
General
True or False: The poem ends by calling for her own deeds to bring her public praise in the city (31:31).
Answer: True
This is true. The last verse asks that she be given the reward of what she has done and that her works speak for her in the public places of the city, the gates where leaders met (31:31). She does not praise herself; her deeds do. Proverbs teaches that praise should come from others, not from one's own mouth (Proverbs 27:2), and Jesus says that good deeds seen by others lead them to glorify the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
- Proverbs 31:31 (BSB)“Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.”The poem closes by calling for her to receive the reward of her work and public praise for her deeds.
- Proverbs 27:2 (BSB)“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.”Praise should come from others rather than from one's own mouth.
- Matthew 5:16 (BSB)“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”Jesus says others should see good deeds and glorify the Father in heaven.
Theological
True or False: The closing verse of the poem (31:31) calls for her deeds to be publicly honored in the city.
Answer: True
This is true. The final verse (31:31) calls for her to be given the reward of her labor and for her works to be praised at the gates of the city, the place of public assembly and judgment. Her praise comes from her deeds rather than self-commendation, in line with Proverbs 27:2, and good works publicly seen are meant to lead others to glorify the Father (Matthew 5:16).
- Proverbs 31:31 (BSB)“Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.”The poem closes by calling for her to receive the reward of her work and public praise for her deeds.
- Proverbs 27:2 (BSB)“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.”Praise should come from others rather than from one's own mouth.
- Matthew 5:16 (BSB)“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”Jesus says others should see good deeds and glorify the Father in heaven.
General
What reason does Lemuel's mother give for kings not to crave wine and strong drink (31:4-5)?
Answer: They might forget the law and deny the oppressed justice
Lemuel's mother tells him that wine and strong drink are not for kings and rulers (31:4). Her reason is about justice: a ruler who drinks may forget what the law requires and take away the rights of those who are oppressed (31:5). She then contrasts the king with those who are dying or bitter in spirit, who may drink and forget their misery (31:6-7). The point is that the king's clear judgment is needed to protect others. Proverbs warns elsewhere that wine leads people astray (Proverbs 20:1); Ecclesiastes praises rulers who feast to be strengthened rather than to get drunk (Ecclesiastes 10:16-17); and Isaiah condemns those strong at drinking who twist justice (Isaiah 5:22-23).
- Proverbs 31:4-7 (BSB)“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.”Kings are warned against craving strong drink, which would make them forget the law and deny justice; the passage then contrasts those who are perishing and bitter.
- Proverbs 20:1 (BSB)“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”Proverbs warns that wine mocks and strong drink brawls, and those led astray by them are not wise.
- Ecclesiastes 10:16-17 (BSB)“Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.”A land is blessed when its princes feast at the right time, for strength and not for drunkenness.
- Isaiah 5:22-23 (BSB)“Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink, who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.”Isaiah condemns those mighty at drinking who acquit the guilty and deny justice to the innocent.
Theological
According to 31:4-5, why must kings not crave wine and strong drink?
Answer: They might forget the law and deny the oppressed justice
The mother's counsel on wine (31:4) is grounded in the king's judicial office: drink may cause him to lose sight of the law and pervert justice for the oppressed (31:5). The contrast in 31:6-7, strong drink for the dying and the deeply embittered so that they may forget their misery, underlines that the ruler cannot afford such forgetfulness, since others depend on his clear judgment. Proverbs 20:1 warns that those led astray by wine are not wise, Ecclesiastes 10:16-17 blesses a land whose princes feast to be strengthened rather than drunk, and Isaiah 5:22-23 condemns heroes of drinking who deny justice to the innocent.
- Proverbs 31:4-7 (BSB)“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.”Kings are warned against craving strong drink, which would make them forget the law and deny justice; the passage then contrasts those who are perishing and bitter.
- Proverbs 20:1 (BSB)“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”Proverbs warns that wine mocks and strong drink brawls, and those led astray by them are not wise.
- Ecclesiastes 10:16-17 (BSB)“Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.”A land is blessed when its princes feast at the right time, for strength and not for drunkenness.
- Isaiah 5:22-23 (BSB)“Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink, who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.”Isaiah condemns those mighty at drinking who acquit the guilty and deny justice to the innocent.
General
According to 31:1, from whom did King Lemuel receive the sayings in 31:1-9?
Answer: The king's own mother
The heading of chapter 31 names King Lemuel and says these words are the oracle he learned from his mother (31:1). She speaks to him tenderly as her son, the child she bore and the son of her vows (31:2). Nothing more is said about who Lemuel was. The book honors a mother's instruction from its opening chapters: a son is told not to forsake his mother's teaching (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20). In the New Testament, too, the sincere faith Timothy had first lived in his grandmother and mother (2 Timothy 1:5).
- Proverbs 31:1-2 (BSB)“These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?”The heading names King Lemuel and says the sayings came from his mother's teaching.
- Proverbs 1:8 (BSB)“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.”Proverbs calls a son to listen to his father and not to forsake his mother's teaching.
- Proverbs 6:20 (BSB)“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”The son is again told to keep his mother's teaching.
- 2 Timothy 1:5 (BSB)“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.”Timothy's sincere faith first lived in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.
Theological
Whom does 31:1 identify as the source of the oracle given to King Lemuel?
Answer: The king's own mother
The superscription attributes these sayings to King Lemuel as the oracle he received from his mother (31:1), and her opening questions address him with affection as her son, the son of her womb and of her vows (31:2). The text gives no further identification of Lemuel. The passage fits the book's consistent honor for maternal instruction (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20), a pattern also seen in the faith passed from Lois and Eunice to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5).
- Proverbs 31:1-2 (BSB)“These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?”The heading names King Lemuel and says the sayings came from his mother's teaching.
- Proverbs 1:8 (BSB)“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.”Proverbs calls a son to listen to his father and not to forsake his mother's teaching.
- Proverbs 6:20 (BSB)“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”The son is again told to keep his mother's teaching.
- 2 Timothy 1:5 (BSB)“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.”Timothy's sincere faith first lived in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.
General
How do her children and husband respond to her in 31:28-29?
Answer: They honor her and say she surpasses all others
She keeps careful watch over everything in her home and is never idle (31:27). Her children stand and speak of her as blessed, and her husband adds his own praise, saying that many women have done excellent things but she goes beyond them all (31:28-29). Those who know her best honor her most. The book of Ruth shows a similar good reputation, where Ruth is known by her whole town as a woman of strong character (Ruth 3:11), and Proverbs says a good reputation is worth more than great riches (Proverbs 22:1).
- Proverbs 31:27-29 (BSB)“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!””She watches over her household; her children and husband praise her above all others.
- Ruth 3:11 (BSB)“And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.”Ruth is recognized by the whole town as a woman of noble character.
- Proverbs 22:1 (BSB)“A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.”A good name is more desirable than great riches.
Theological
What response from her household is recorded in 31:28-29?
Answer: They honor her and say she surpasses all others
Having watched over her household's affairs without idleness (31:27), she receives the praise of those closest to her: her children rise to call her blessed, and her husband declares that though many women have acted nobly, she excels them all (31:28-29). Her honor begins at home. Ruth 3:11 records a similar public recognition of Ruth's character, and Proverbs 22:1 values a good name above great riches.
- Proverbs 31:27-29 (BSB)“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!””She watches over her household; her children and husband praise her above all others.
- Ruth 3:11 (BSB)“And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.”Ruth is recognized by the whole town as a woman of noble character.
- Proverbs 22:1 (BSB)“A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.”A good name is more desirable than great riches.
General
What does the comparison to merchant ships in 31:14, joined with her rising before dawn in 31:15, show about her?
Answer: She goes to great lengths to feed and supply her family
The poem compares her to trading ships that bring goods from far away (31:14). The picture is of effort and range: she goes out of her way to get good food for her family. She also gets up before the sun rises to make sure her household and her servants are fed (31:15). The comparison does not mean she leaves home; the rest of the poem shows her caring for her household. Scripture treats providing for one's own family as part of faithfulness (1 Timothy 5:8), and Proverbs warns that loving sleep leads to want, while being awake and at work brings plenty of food (Proverbs 20:13).
- Proverbs 31:14-15 (BSB)“She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.”She is compared to merchant ships and rises before dawn to provide food for her household.
- 1 Timothy 5:8 (BSB)“If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”Paul teaches that providing for one's own household is part of faithful living.
- Proverbs 20:13 (BSB)“Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.”Proverbs links refusing to love sleep with having plenty of food.
Theological
What does the merchant-ship simile of 31:14, together with 31:15, convey about her?
Answer: She goes to great lengths to feed and supply her family
The simile of 31:14 compares her to merchant vessels that bring provisions from afar, portraying enterprise and reach in supplying her household. Verse 15 adds her rising before daylight to give food to her family and portions to her servants. The image concerns diligent provision, not absence from home, for the poem consistently shows her attending to her household. Provision for one's own is a mark of faithfulness (1 Timothy 5:8), and her early rising reflects the saying that whoever wakes instead of loving sleep will be well fed (Proverbs 20:13).
- Proverbs 31:14-15 (BSB)“She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.”She is compared to merchant ships and rises before dawn to provide food for her household.
- 1 Timothy 5:8 (BSB)“If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”Paul teaches that providing for one's own household is part of faithful living.
- Proverbs 20:13 (BSB)“Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.”Proverbs links refusing to love sleep with having plenty of food.
General
What does Lemuel's mother tell him to do for those who cannot speak for themselves (31:8-9)?
Answer: Speak up for them and judge their cause fairly
The last part of the mother's advice tells the king to use his voice for others. He must speak for people who have no one to speak for them and for all who have lost what was theirs (31:8). He must judge with righteousness and defend people who are poor or in need (31:9). The king's power is meant to serve the weak. God gives the same charge elsewhere: to defend the weak and rescue the needy (Psalm 82:3-4), to seek justice for the fatherless and the widow (Isaiah 1:17). Through Jeremiah the LORD even says that caring for people in poverty and need is part of truly knowing the LORD (Jeremiah 22:16).
- Proverbs 31:8-9 (BSB)“Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.”Lemuel's mother charges him to speak up and judge rightly for the poor and those who cannot speak for themselves.
- Psalm 82:3-4 (BSB)“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.”God charges those who rule and judge to defend the weak and fatherless and rescue the needy.
- Isaiah 1:17 (BSB)“Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.””God calls His people to seek justice and defend the fatherless and the widow.
- Jeremiah 22:16 (BSB)“He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD.”Taking up the cause of the poor and needy is described as what it means to know the LORD.
Theological
What duty toward the voiceless does 31:8-9 lay on the king?
Answer: Speak up for them and judge their cause fairly
The mother's final charge (31:8-9) directs the king's speech and judgment toward those who cannot plead for themselves and toward the dispossessed: he must speak out, give righteous judgment, and uphold the claims of the oppressed and poor. Royal authority exists to secure justice for the weak. The same obligation is laid on those who judge (Psalm 82:3-4) and on the covenant people generally (Isaiah 1:17), and Jeremiah 22:16 identifies taking up the needy person's case with truly knowing the LORD.
- Proverbs 31:8-9 (BSB)“Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.”Lemuel's mother charges him to speak up and judge rightly for the poor and those who cannot speak for themselves.
- Psalm 82:3-4 (BSB)“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.”God charges those who rule and judge to defend the weak and fatherless and rescue the needy.
- Isaiah 1:17 (BSB)“Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.””God calls His people to seek justice and defend the fatherless and the widow.
- Jeremiah 22:16 (BSB)“He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD.”Taking up the cause of the poor and needy is described as what it means to know the LORD.
General
On what does Lemuel's mother warn him not to spend his strength (31:3)?
Answer: On women and on what brings kings to ruin
Lemuel's mother begins with a warning: he must not give his strength and energy to women or to the ways that destroy kings (31:3). A ruler's vigor belongs to his duty, not to indulgence. Israel's law had already forbidden the king to take many wives so that his heart would not be led astray (Deuteronomy 17:17), and Nehemiah points to Solomon, a great king loved by God, whom foreign women still drew into sin (Nehemiah 13:26).
- Proverbs 31:3 (BSB)“Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.”Lemuel's mother warns him against spending his strength in ways that ruin rulers.
- Deuteronomy 17:17 (BSB)“He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.”Israel's king was forbidden to take many wives, lest his heart be led astray.
- Nehemiah 13:26 (BSB)“Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin.”Nehemiah recalls how foreign women drew even Solomon into sin.
Theological
On what does Lemuel's mother first warn him not to spend his strength (31:3)?
Answer: On women and on what brings kings to ruin
The first counsel concerns the king's strength: he must not spend it on women or on the ways that destroy rulers (31:3). Royal vigor is to be devoted to the office, not squandered on indulgence. The warning echoes the law of the king forbidding the multiplication of wives lest his heart be led astray (Deuteronomy 17:17), and Nehemiah's reminder that even Solomon was drawn into sin by foreign women (Nehemiah 13:26).
- Proverbs 31:3 (BSB)“Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.”Lemuel's mother warns him against spending his strength in ways that ruin rulers.
- Deuteronomy 17:17 (BSB)“He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.”Israel's king was forbidden to take many wives, lest his heart be led astray.
- Nehemiah 13:26 (BSB)“Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin.”Nehemiah recalls how foreign women drew even Solomon into sin.
General
What does 31:30 set above charm and beauty as worthy of praise?
Answer: Reverence for the LORD shown in her life
Near the end of the poem comes its key contrast. Charm can mislead and beauty fades, whereas a woman who reveres the LORD, living in trust and obedience toward God, deserves praise (31:30). This is the root of everything the poem has described. It also brings the book full circle, since Proverbs began by saying that knowledge starts with reverence for the LORD (Proverbs 1:7). Peter teaches that lasting beauty comes from the heart and is precious to God (1 Peter 3:3-4), and the LORD told Samuel that He looks at the heart, not the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
- Proverbs 31:30 (BSB)“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”Charm and beauty are contrasted with fearing the LORD, which is what deserves praise.
- Proverbs 1:7 (BSB)“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”The book opens by naming the fear of the LORD as the beginning of knowledge.
- 1 Peter 3:3-4 (BSB)“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.”Peter says true beauty comes from the inner heart, which is precious to God.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.””The LORD looks at the heart rather than outward appearance.
Theological
What quality does 31:30 exalt above charm and beauty?
Answer: Reverence for the LORD shown in her life
The poem's climactic contrast (31:30) sets deceptive charm and passing beauty against reverence for the LORD, which is worthy of praise. Her industry, generosity, and wisdom flow from this reverence, and the book thus closes where it began, with reverence for the LORD as the starting point of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). The inner, God-regarded character is likewise commended in 1 Peter 3:3-4, and 1 Samuel 16:7 records that the LORD looks on the heart.
- Proverbs 31:30 (BSB)“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”Charm and beauty are contrasted with fearing the LORD, which is what deserves praise.
- Proverbs 1:7 (BSB)“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”The book opens by naming the fear of the LORD as the beginning of knowledge.
- 1 Peter 3:3-4 (BSB)“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.”Peter says true beauty comes from the inner heart, which is precious to God.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.””The LORD looks at the heart rather than outward appearance.
General
Why can she face the snow and the days ahead without fear (31:21, 25)?
Answer: She has prepared her household and is clothed with strength
When snow comes she is not afraid for her family, because she has already dressed them all in scarlet (31:21). The poem also says she wears strength and honor like clothing and can laugh at what lies ahead (31:25). Her calm about the future comes from wise preparation and strong character, not from luck or from someone else doing the work. Proverbs praises the prudent person who sees danger coming and prepares (Proverbs 22:3), and it points to the ant that gathers food ahead of time (Proverbs 6:6-8).
- Proverbs 31:21 (BSB)“When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.”Her household is all clothed in scarlet, so she does not fear the snow.
- Proverbs 31:25 (BSB)“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.”She is clothed with strength and honor and faces the future without fear.
- Proverbs 22:3 (BSB)“The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.”The prudent see danger ahead and prepare for it.
- Proverbs 6:6-8 (BSB)“Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.”The ant prepares its food in summer before it is needed.
Theological
What grounds her freedom from fear in 31:21 and 31:25?
Answer: She has prepared her household and is clothed with strength
She does not fear the snow because her whole household is already clothed in scarlet (31:21), and, clothed with strength and honor, she laughs at the time to come (31:25). Her confidence rests on foresight and character rather than on circumstance or another's provision. This is the prudence Proverbs commends in the one who sees danger and takes cover (Proverbs 22:3) and in the ant that stores up food in season (Proverbs 6:6-8).
- Proverbs 31:21 (BSB)“When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.”Her household is all clothed in scarlet, so she does not fear the snow.
- Proverbs 31:25 (BSB)“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.”She is clothed with strength and honor and faces the future without fear.
- Proverbs 22:3 (BSB)“The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.”The prudent see danger ahead and prepare for it.
- Proverbs 6:6-8 (BSB)“Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.”The ant prepares its food in summer before it is needed.
General
How does 31:10 describe the value of the noble wife the poem goes on to praise?
Answer: Worth far more than the most precious jewels
Verses 10-31 form a poem in which each verse begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet, an acrostic. It opens by asking who can find such a wife and says her worth is far above rubies (31:10). Her husband trusts her completely and is never short of anything worthwhile, because she does him good and never harm all her life (31:11-12). Elsewhere Proverbs calls such a wife her husband's crown (Proverbs 12:4) and treats a good and wise wife as a gift and blessing from the LORD (Proverbs 18:22; 19:14).
- Proverbs 31:10-12 (BSB)“A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.”The poem opens by asking who can find such a wife, valuing her above rubies, and describing her husband's trust in her.
- Proverbs 12:4 (BSB)“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.”A wife of noble character is called her husband's crown.
- Proverbs 18:22 (BSB)“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.”Finding a wife is a good thing and a sign of the LORD's favor.
- Proverbs 19:14 (BSB)“Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.”A prudent wife is described as a gift from the LORD.
Theological
How does 31:10 set the value of the noble wife whom the closing poem celebrates?
Answer: Worth far more than the most precious jewels
The closing poem (31:10-31) is an alphabetic acrostic, each verse beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It opens with a rhetorical question about finding such a wife and prices her far above rubies (31:10); her husband's heart trusts her, and she does him good rather than harm throughout her life (31:11-12). The poem draws together themes found elsewhere in Proverbs: such a wife is a crown to her husband (Proverbs 12:4), and a good and prudent wife is received as a gift and blessing from the LORD (Proverbs 18:22; 19:14).
- Proverbs 31:10-12 (BSB)“A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.”The poem opens by asking who can find such a wife, valuing her above rubies, and describing her husband's trust in her.
- Proverbs 12:4 (BSB)“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.”A wife of noble character is called her husband's crown.
- Proverbs 18:22 (BSB)“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.”Finding a wife is a good thing and a sign of the LORD's favor.
- Proverbs 19:14 (BSB)“Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.”A prudent wife is described as a gift from the LORD.