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.

31:25 {m} 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.