Proverbs 31 Commentary And Bible Study

Here is a commentary and Bible study about Proverbs chapter 31.

The Words of King Lemuel

This chapter has two parts to it that might have been better off being separated as different chapters but regardless of that, the first part of Proverbs chapter 31 is about King Lemuel and “an oracle that his mother taught him” (Prov 31:1). There are warnings about giving yourself away to women (Prov 31:3), about the foolishness of kings and rulers taking strong drink (31:4), that strong drink is only good for those who are perishing (31:6), and then to make sure and “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute” and “Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy” (31:8-9). We know that there was never a King Lemuel in Israel so it may have been a type of godly ruler or for vocational use for all the readers to consider, especially knowing that the name “Lĕmuw’el” means “for God.”

Proverbs 31:10-11 “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.”

The answer to this rhetorical question is answered in the sense that an excellent wife is more precious than jewels because God values excellence of character more than precious jewels.

Proverbs 31:12-13, 15 “She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.”

This excellent wife is a great blessing to her husband and children. She works long days and while it’s still dark, she rises early in the morning to care for her household and this is her custom, “all the days of her life.”

Proverbs 31:17-18 “She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.”

This excellent wife has great stamina as she works long days and even at night, she is still hard at work to provide for her family.

Proverbs 31:20-21 “She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.”

What a generous woman of faith she is. She works hard for her family to provide for them yet still has something to offer the poor. She is unafraid of the weather elements and has her family prepared for cold weather.

Proverbs 31:24-25 “She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

This is a working mother and wife, even if it’s inside of the home, and she is apparently industrious, providing another means of income for the family.

Proverbs 31:26-28 “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

The best teacher that children may ever have is their parents and she teaches kindness by her words, she speaks words of wisdom, gained from years of experience, and has is a great blessing to her children and her husband who both praise her dedication to her family.

Proverbs 31:29-31 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”

Beauty fades with time but character remains. The true beauty of a godly woman is not on the outside anyway, it is what is inside her heart that makes her so attractive to her husband. A woman who fears the Lord is a woman who obeys the Lord and that is most beautiful to her family but certainly to God.

Conclusion

There is no real Proverbs 31 wife any more than there is a King Lemuel but the ideology of a godly wife is given in this chapter for us to see what God values in a woman of faith. The most precious things we have found are not external but inward and these have lasting value, unlike those things of the flesh which pass with time. A godly woman of character does not diminish with time…she becomes more valuable.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.