UNROLL
A clay oil lamp burns on a stone ledge beside a spindle and a basket of combed wool, a dark doorway beyond, in a quiet working house at night.

Lemuel

Proverbs 31

What would your days say about you if you never said a word?

31 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–7The father's talksWhy the book exists, then a father to his son
  2. 8–9Wisdom callsHer house and Folly's
  3. 10–22:16Solomon's sayingsTwo lines at a time
  4. 22:17–24The sayings of the wiseThirty sayings, and a few more
  5. 25–29Hezekiah's collectionMore of Solomon, copied out later
  6. 30AgurNumbered sayings from a weary man
  7. 31LemuelA mother's words, and the noble wifeChapter 31

The Sayings for King Lemuel

These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Lemuel’s mother
A dignified older woman in a deep-blue wool robe sits in a plain stone room by day, one hand lifted as she speaks to her grown son, who stands with his back to us.

What shall I say, O my son?

What, O son of my womb?

What, O son of my vows?

Do not spend your strength on women

or your vigor on those who ruin kings.

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.

0:23

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Lemuel’s mother
Lemuel’s mother

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.

Lemuel’s mother

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.

Proverbs 31:8–9

Reflect

Take it home

Who near you has no voice? What would it mean to open your mouth for them?

The Virtues of a Noble Woman

An open, weathered palm holds a few rough deep-red stones in plain daylight.

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.

Question

Quick question

The poem is about to say why she is praised. What would you guess?

What reason does the poem give for praising her?

Strength and honor are her clothing,

and she can laugh at the days to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

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!”

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

Late light in a plain stone gateway: an empty bench with a basket and a folded length of linen left on it, the road running on beyond.

Give her the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her at the gates.

Pray

Say it to Him

LORD, teach me to fear You in the ordinary work of today. Let my hands be useful and my words be kind. Keep my mouth open for those with no voice. May what I do today honor You when no one is looking.

You’ve experienced

Proverbs 31

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A verse to carry with you

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

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