PROVERBS 31 (KING JAMES VERSION) |oma's wisdom

PROVERBS 31 (KJV)

1) The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2) What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3) Give not thy strength unto women,

nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4) It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for king to drink wine;

nor for princes strong drink:

5) Lest they drink, and forget the law,

and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6) Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,

and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

7) Let him drink, and forget his poverty,

and remember his misery no more.

8) Open thy mouth for the dumb

in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9) Open thy mouth, judge righteously,

and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10) Who can find a virtuous woman?

for her price is far above rubies.

11) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,

so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12) She will do him good and not evil

all the days of her life.

13) She seeketh wool, and flax,

and worketh willingly with her hands.

14) She is like the merchants' ships;

she bringeth her food from afar.

15) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household,

and a portion to her maidens.

   16) She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
     with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
   17) She girdeth her loins with strength,
     and strengtheneth her arms.

   18) She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
     her candle goeth not out by night.
   19) She layeth her hands to the spindle,
     and her hands hold the distaff.*

   20) She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
     yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
   21) She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
     for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

   22) She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
     her clothing is silk and purple.
   23) Her husband is known in the gates,
     when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

   24) She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
   and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
   25) Strength and honour are her clothing;
   and she shall rejoice in time to come.

   26) She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
   and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
   27) She looketh well to the ways of her household,
     and eateth not the bread of idleness.

   28) Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
     her husband also, and he praiseth her.
   29) Many daughters have done virtuously,
     but thou excellest them all.

   30) Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
     but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
   31) Give her of the fruit of her hands;
     and let her own works praise her in the gates.

DEFINITIONS

* distaff: according to merriam-webster.com, a distaff is a staff for holding the flax or wool in spinning

MY THOUGHTS

We have been told all of our lives that when we have a baby, there is no instruction manual. I have to call that "fake news". The Holy Bible is full of instruction. Verses 10 - 31 of this chapter is a guide for women. This is what you should strive to be. Be that role model for your daughters. If you know a woman like this, stay in her company as much as you can, to learn her ways. Study The Word. The Book of Proverbs is full of wisdom; meditate on it.

COMMENTARY

Verses 1,2) King Lemuel is believed to be King Solomon. This is the teaching of Bathsheba to her son.

Verse 3) Bathsheba knew well the destruction of the family when the man takes on several women. King David had multiple wives and concubine. It is even true today when the man of the house has women outside of the home, ie, commits adultery.

Verses 8-9) Here we are instructed to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.

THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN:

Verse 10) Who can find a woman strong in all moral qualities?

Verse 11) The virtuous woman's love is sure, to be trusted, never to be doubted. She could not be bought. Of course, poor old Solomon was not a virtuous man, so no virtuous woman would have him.

Verse 12) The virtuous woman was loyal to her man, dependable, trustworthy, and true and would never create drama for him.

Verse 13) She is resourceful, staying busy taking care of her household.

Being called "the bride of Christ", we, too, should strive to be this virtuous. Are you a part of "the bride of Christ"? Click here to learn how to become His bride: https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html

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