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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 31:1-9

Most interpreters are of opinion that Lemuel is Solomon; the name signifies one that is for God, or devoted to God; and so it agrees well enough with that honourable name which, by divine appointment, was given to Solomon (2 Sam. 12:25), Jedediah?beloved of the Lord. Lemuel is supposed to be a pretty, fond, endearing name, by which his mother used to call him; and so much did he value himself upon the interest he had in his mother's affections that he was not ashamed to call himself by it. One... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:1

The words of King Lemuel ,.... Not what were spoken by him, but what were spoken to him; or declaring what his mother said, as what follows shows; of this king we have no account elsewhere under this name. Grotius thinks that King Hezekiah, whose mother Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah, whom he supposes to be a wise man, from whom she had learned much, instructed her son in the following manner; but gives no other reason for this conjecture but that this chapter follows the collection of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:2

What, my son ?.... What shall I call thee? though thou art a king, can I address thee in more suitable language, or use a more endearing appellative than this, and what follows? permit me, thy mother, to speak unto thee as my son: and what shall I say to thee? I want words, I want wisdom; O that I knew what to say to thee, that would be proper and profitable; or what is it I am about to say to thee? things of the greatest moment and importance, and therefore listen to me; and so the manner... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:3

Give not thy strength unto women ,.... Strength of body, which is weakened by an excessive use of venery F2 "Venus enervat vireis", Avienus. with a multiplicity of women; see, Proverbs 5:9 ; and strength of mind, reason, and wisdom, which is impaired by conversation with such persons; whereby time is consumed and lost, which should be spent in the improvement of knowledge: or "thy riches", as the Septuagint and Arabic versions, thy substance, which harlots devour, and who bring a man... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:4

It is not for kings, O Lemuel ,.... It is not fit for them, it is very unbecoming them; it is dishonourable to them, to such as Lemuel was, or was likely to be; or far be it from kings, let no such thing be do ne by them, nor by thee; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink ; it is lawful for kings to drink wine in a moderate manner, and for princes, counsellors, and judges, to drink strong drink; meaning not such as is made of malt, which in those times was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:5

Lest they drink, and forget the law ,.... The law of God by Moses, which the kings of Israel were obliged to write a copy of, and read over daily, to imprint it on their minds, that they might never forget it, but always govern according to it, Deuteronomy 17:18 ; or the law of their ancestors, or what was made by themselves, which through intemperance may be forgotten; for this sin stupefies the mind and hurts the memory, and makes men forgetful; and pervert the judgment of any of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:6

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish ,.... Thou, O Lemuel, and other kings and judges, rather than drink strong drink yourselves, least to excess; give it out of your great abundance and liberality to poor persons in starving circumstances, who must perish, unless relieved; it will do them good, moderately used; and should they drink too freely, which they ought not, yet it would not be attended with such bad consequences as if kings and princes should; and wine to those... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:7

Let him drink, and forget his poverty ,.... Which has been very pressing upon him, and afflicting to him; let him drink till he is cheerful, and forgets that he is a poor man; however, so far forgets as not to be troubled about it, and have any anxious thoughts how he must have food and raiment F11 "Tunc dolor a curae rugaqae frontis abit", Ovid. de Arte Amandi, l. 1. ; and remember his misery no more ; the anguish of his mind because of his straitened circumstances; or "his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:8

Open thy mouth for the dumb ,.... Not who are naturally so, but who cannot speak in their own behalf, either through want of elocution, or knowledge of the laws; or who are bashful, timorous, and fearful, being overawed by the majesty of a court of judicature, or by their prosecutors; or who, as they have not a tongue, so not a purse, to speak for them, the fatherless and the widow; which latter has her name, in the Hebrew language, from dumbness. Here Lemuel's mother advises him to open his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:9

Open thy mouth, judge righteously ,.... Having heard the cause, pronounce a righteous sentence; deliver it freely and impartially, with all readiness and boldness, not caring for the censures of wicked and unjust men; and plead the cause of the poor and needy ; who are oppressed by the rich, cannot plead for themselves, nor fee others to plead for them; do thou do it freely and faithfully. Thus as Lemuel's mother cautions him against women and wine, she advises him to do the duties of... read more

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