Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 31:1-9, The Training of a King

by Marilynn Chadwick

Proverbs 31:1-9 was technically recorded by the unknown King Lemuel, but it is explicitly identified as an oracle, or “inspired message,” taught to him by his mother. Therefore, the content and wisdom within these verses are traditionally believed by many scholars to be Bathsheba teaching her son, Solomon.

We catch a glimpse into the heart of this mother who had prayed for her son and devoted him to the Lord. Let’s look closer at the teachings that were foremost in her mind as she trained the son who would be king:

The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!

Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!

3 Do not spend your strength on women,

your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—

it is not for kings to drink wine,

not for rulers to crave beer,

5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,

and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,

wine for those who are in anguish!

7 Let them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

9 Speak up and judge fairly;

defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:1-9 NIV).

The Queen Mother’s words are instructions about the kind of king he should be. Like any good mother, she warned him about the dangers of immoral women and over-indulgence in alcohol. But her cautions appear to have had more to do with his calling as king rather than just mere morality. She challenges her son to use his power to help the broken, “speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves,” and “defending the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:3, 5, 8, 9).

If King Lemuel’s mother prayed for this son before he was born and during his lifetime, surely, she also prayed for his wife. So, the description of the Woman of Valor in Proverbs 31:10-31 could easily reflect her heart’s desire for her son’s future wife. And isn’t this the prayer for every mother of sons? I’d like to think these verses also represent a mother’s specific hopes and dreams for the kind of Woman of Valor that her daughters would one day become.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 31:2, A Queen Mother’s Words for Her Son

by Marilynn Chadwick

“Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!”

Proverbs 31:2 NIV

For centuries, people have been fascinated by royalty. The Bible is filled with stories of men and women of noble birth whose lives had eternal impact. While we are exploring the world of kings and queens, let’s go back and take another look at Proverbs 31.

We have been discussing the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman, also known as the “Woman of Valor.” To learn more about this incredible woman, read Proverbs 31:10-31, or check out our previous blog series by clicking here.

In the first portion of Proverbs 31, verses 1-9, we find a set of instructions from an unnamed Queen Mother to her son who would be king. These words are the teaching of his mother to King Lemuel.

Bible scholars are divided about the identity of King Lemuel. Many think Lemuel, which means “devoted to God,” was another name for Solomon. Others believe it was a name for King Hezekiah. Some have concluded that King Lemuel is the fictitious representation of the ideal king.

Whoever it was, he had a wise mother. Her words are regarded as prophetic words of Scripture, “an inspired utterance his mother taught him” (Proverbs 31:1 NIV). The Hebrew word massa, has a variety of translations in English Bibles. The word is rendered “prophecy” in the King James and Revised Geneva Translations. Massa is translated “vision” in the Wycliffe Bible, the first English translation hand printed in the 14th century. This same Hebrew word, massa, is translated “declaration” in Young’s Literal Translation in the 19th century. Proverbs 31:1-9 is one of the few Bible passages that clearly attributes its content to a woman’s teaching and explicitly records it as Scripture.

The word in this verse translated as “taught” implies much more than mere verbal instruction. It can mean “to chasten, reprove, discipline, correct, or instruct.” This kind of training implies continual reinforcement. It doesn’t happen quickly and best occurs within the context of a close relationship, such as a mother with her children.

King Lemuel’s mother begins her prophecy by referring to her son as the “answer to my prayers” (verse 2). In the verses that follow, she teaches him important life lessons about how to behave in a kingly manner.

The passage serves as a sober admonition to parents to guard our children against the very same vices the Queen Mother knew would destroy a leader's character and reign. It’s also a reminder for moms and dads to take seriously our responsibility to not only train, but to pray for our child and grandchildren, as well as the generations to come!

Today’s Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick.

Click here to order your copy today!

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 11:30

by David Chadwick

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.”

Proverbs 11:30

Do you know what the word “righteous” means? It is defined as “someone acting in accordance with divine or moral law, free from guilt or sin; being morally justified, upright, or virtuous.”

When a righteous person lives righteously, the fruit of that person is a tree of life. Not only for themselves, but also for all those around them. Others will want to be righteous as well.

And like the tree of life in the garden of Eden, the fruit of the righteous man or woman gives life forever. A righteous life multiples righteousness for generations to come.

Our God is a righteous God (Psalm 11:7, Psalm 119:137, Ezra 9:15). His character is perfect righteousness. In fact, Psalm 145:7 says that God is righteous in ALL of his ways. As you may have heard me say, “I looked up ‘ALL’ in the dictionary. Guess what it means? ALL!”

Hebrews 12:28 says, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” When those of us who are righteous in Christ live righteously, we are advancing an unshakeable, eternal kingdom that never fails.

What is the most righteous act that people who follow Jesus can do? The capturing of eternal souls!

After all, there is nothing we can take with us into eternity except our eternal souls.

And when we arrive in heaven, we will spend eternity with those who we helped come to know Jesus. Those whose eternal souls have been redeemed forever. And they will forever thank us for helping them get to heaven.

Make sure you keep first things first: the salvation of people’s eternal souls. Pray today for the harvest. Luke 10:2 says that the harvest is plentiful - the souls are many - but the laborers are few. May we pray EARNESTLY for the Lord to send out laborers into his harvest!