Proverbs 31

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

This king remembered is his mom's words.

King Lemuel is a king with no written background.  Many times God uses people we may or may not know in His Word.  King Lemuel had a mother who taught him well.  This was not the father who was teaching.   His father is not mentioned. There are many homes that are without fathers and the mother is the one God expects to show the son which way to go using His word.  She is teaching her son how to be a king.  We should all teach our children as though they are kings.  If you knew your son was going to be king, how would you instruct him?

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

King Lemuel remembers his mother speaking to him and she spoke the words when she promised God that she would teach him everything she knew about God's ways.

3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

He remembers her saying; do not spend your young years chasing after women or behave in such a way you forget you are a king.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

King must carry themselves at all times ready to give orders and to do this, you must be sober.  There are times God gave orders for people to refrain from drinking.  If a king is drunk, and the people need his advice, he will be unfit to lead or guide them.

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

If you are in a drunken state, you may lead the people in the wrong direction.

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

There are those who need something to drink.

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

As king, you must understand what to do when people need what you must not provide for yourself.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, you may be the one to save their lives.

9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Speak up and say what is right, and state the case for those who are poor and in need.  In other words, fight for the poor.

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

He remembers what his mom told him about a woman who will meet his needs.  Even being a king and having favor, his mom told him even he had to be careful in finding a good wife.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

If a man finds the favor of God, he will trust her and he will never have a need to leave his home for anything.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

A good wife will treat her husband right all the time, as long as she lives.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is a hard worker.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She travels to make sure she brings home what is needed.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She is a provider for her household.  She makes sure the food and finances are in order.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She is prudent with her money.  She makes good investments, she is seen working with her own hands.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She is physically fit to do what needs to be done.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She knows what she does is good: she is working when the family is asleep.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She knows how to be creative.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not stingy; she is not afraid to help those who are in need.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

The weather does not stop her from doing what needs to be done for her family.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

She makes her own clothes and she looks good in them.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She makes her husband look good around other men.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Whatever she makes is good enough to go into business:  she sells her product to companies

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Her behaviour is what makes her look good and stand out.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She knows the Word of God.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

She is not a gossiper.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Her children brag on her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

The qualities you have to make you stand out above all women who try to be like you.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

If a woman does not have God, she is not in your class.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Let this woman be praised and do not withhold the honor she deserves from everyone.