31:1 The words of king a Lemuel, the b prophecy that his
mother taught him.
(a) That is, of Solomon who was called Lemuel, that is, of
God, because God had ordained him to be king over
Israel.
(b) The doctrine which his mother Bathsheba taught him.
31:2 What, my son? and what, the son of c my womb? and what,
the son of my vows?
(c) By this often repetition of one thing, she declares her
motherly affection.
31:3 Give not thy strength to women, d nor thy ways to that
which destroyeth kings.
(d) Meaning, that women are the destruction of kings, if
they hunt them.
31:4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to
drink wine; nor for princes e strong drink:
(e) That is, the king must not give himself to wantonness,
and neglect of his office, which is to execute
judgment.
31:7 Let him drink, and forget f his poverty, and remember his
misery no more.
(f) For wine comforts the heart as in (Ps 104:15).
31:8 Open thy mouth for the g dumb in the cause of all such as
are appointed to destruction.
(g) Defend their cause that are not able to help
themselves.
31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that
he shall have no need of h spoil.
(h) He will not need to use any unlawful means to gain his
living.
31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to
her household, and a i portion to her maidens.
(i) She prepares their food early.
31:16 She considereth a field, and k buyeth it: with the fruit
of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
(k) She purchases it with the gains of her travail.
31:23 Her husband is known in the l gates, when he sitteth
among the elders of the land.
(l) In the assemblies and places of judgment.
31:25m Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall
rejoice in time to come.
(m) After he had spoken of the apparel of the body, he
now declares the apparel of the spirit.
31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue [is]
the n law of kindness.
(n) Her tongue is a book by which one might learn many
good things: for she delights to talk of the word of
God.
31:28 Her children rise up, and o call her blessed; her
husband [also], and he praiseth her.
(o) That is, do her reverence.
31:31 Give p her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own
works praise her in the q gates.
(p) Confess her diligent labours, and commend her
therefore.
(q) Forasmuch as the most honourable are clad in the
apparel that she made.
