The Words of Lemuel
The words of 1King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him:The identity of King Lemuel is uncertain; however, ancient Jewish tradition connects Lemuel with Solomon.
2 What, O my 1son?And what, O ason of my womb?And what shall I advise you, O son of my bvows?This chapter consists of two poetic sections. The first (vv 2-9) details the qualities needed to be a wise ruler, and the second (vv 10-31) the qualities describing an excellent wife.Is 49:151 Sam 1:113 aDo not give your generative strength to women neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor 1concubines,Nor your ways to that which bdestroys kings.See note Gen 22:24.Prov 5:9Deut 17:17; 1 Kin 11:1; Neh 13:264 It is not for akings, O Lemuel,It is not for kings to bdrink wine,Or for rulers to desire strong drink, Eccl 10:17; Hos 4:11Eccl 10:17Prov 20:1; Is 5:22; Hos 4:115 Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees,And apervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.Ex 23:6; Deut 16:19; Prov 17:156 Give strong drink as medicine to him who is ready to apass away,And wine to him bwhose life is bitter.Job 29:13Job 3:20; Is 38:157 Let him drink and forget his povertyAnd no longer remember his trouble.8 aOpen your mouth for the mute,For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless; 1+@Sam 19:4; Esth 4:16; Job 29:15, 16Job 29:12-17; Ps 829 Open your mouth, ajudge righteously,And administer bjustice for the afflicted and needy. Lev 19:15; Deut 1:16; Job 29:12; Is 1:17; Jer 22:16Lev 19:15; Deut 1:16Is 1:17; Jer 22:16
Description of a Worthy Woman
10 1An aexcellent woman one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous, who is he who can find her?Her value is bmore precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls. Prov 12:4; 18:22; 19:14The following verses are written as an acrostic poem (each of the twenty-two verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Aside from the artistry, the acrostic structure also aided memorization.Ruth 3:11; Prov 12:4; 19:14Job 28:18; Prov 8:1111 The heart of her husband trusts in her with secure confidence,And he will have no lack of gain.12 She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evilAll the days of her life.13 She looks for wool and flaxAnd works with willing hands in delight.14 She is like the amerchant ships abounding with treasure;She brings her household’s food from far away.Ezek 27:2515 She arises also while it is still nightAnd bgives food to her householdAnd assigns tasks to her maids. Job 23:12Prov 20:13; Rom 12:11Luke 12:4216 She considers a field before she buys or accepts it expanding her business prudently;With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.17 She aequips herself with strength spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given taskAnd makes her arms strong.1 Kin 18:46; 2 Kin 4:29; Job 38:318 She sees that her gain is good;Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night she is prepared for whatever lies ahead.19 She stretches out her hands to the 1distaff,And her hands hold the spindle as she spins wool into thread for clothing.I.e. the staff that holds the textile fibers for spinning.20 She aopens and extends her hand to the poor,And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.Deut 15:11; Job 31:16-20; Prov 22:9; Rom 12:13; Eph 4:2821 She does not fear the snow for her household,For all in her household are aclothed in expensive scarlet wool. Josh 2:18, 19; Heb 9:19-222 Sam 1:2422 She makes for herself acoverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.Her clothing is blinen, pure and fine, and cpurple wool. Is 61:10; 1+@Tim 2:9; Rev 3:5; 19:8, 14Prov 7:16Gen 41:42; Rev 19:8, 14Judg 8:26; Luke 16:1923 Her husband is known ain the city’s gates,When he sits among the elders of the land. Prov 12:4Deut 16:18; Ruth 4:1, 1124 She makes fine alinen garments and sells them;And supplies sashes to the merchants.Judg 14:1225 Strength and adignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;And she smiles at the future knowing that she and her family are prepared.1 Tim 2:9, 1026 She aopens her mouth in skillful and godly wisdom,And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue giving counsel and instruction.Prov 10:3127 She looks well to how things go in her household,And does not eat the abread of idleness. 1+@Tim 5:14; Titus 2:5Prov 19:1528 Her children rise up and call her blessed ;Her husband also, and he praises her, saying,29 “Many daughters have done nobly, and well with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness,1But you excel them all.”The source of this remarkable woman’s success and competence is revealed in v 30, and it is a source available to everyone. She is wise because she understands and puts into practice the message contained in 9:10.30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and superficial beauty is vain,But a woman who afears the LORD reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect, she shall be praised.Ps 112:1; Prov 22:431 Give her of the product of her hands,And let her own works praise her in the gates of the city. Phil 4:8