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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 31:4

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 31:4

It is not for kings - to drink wine - An intemperate man is ill fit to hold the reins of government. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:1-9

Part VIII. SECOND APPENDIX TO THE SECOND COLLECTION , containing "the words of Lemuel" on the subjects of impurity and intemperance. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:1-31

The words of Lernuel The fear of God is the leading thought in these meditations; and this in a twofold relation—to the king in his rule in the state, and the woman in her rule in the house. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:2-9

Here follows the exhortation, which seems to come from the same source as the "burden" of Agur above. In this section the connection and parallelism of the parts are exhibited by repetition of thought and often of words in the several clauses. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:2-9

A mother's maxims The mother's heart, deep in emotions of affection and urgent solicitude, is expressed in the passionate form of the address. I. ON WOMEN OR THE DUTY OF CHASTITY . ( Proverbs 31:3 .) The weakness of this passion was one of the things, Alexander the Great was wont to say, which reminded him that he was mortal David and Solomon were both warnings and beacon lights against yielding to it. II. ON WINE , OR THE DUTY OF TEMPERANCE . ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:4

It is not for kings; or, as others read, far be it from kings. The injunction is repeated to indicate its vast importance. Nor for princes strong drink; literally, nor for princes (the word), Where is strong drink ? (see on Proverbs 20:1 ; and comp. Job 15:23 ). The evils of intemperance, flagrant enough in the case of a private person, are greatly enhanced in the ease of a king, whose misdeeds may affect a whole community, as the next verse intimates. St. Jerome reads... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:4-7

The second admonition. A warning against inebriety, and concerning a proper use of strong drink. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 31:4-7

Proverbs 31:4-7. It is not for kings to drink wine Namely, to excess, as the next verse explains it: Lest they drink and forget the law The laws of God, by which they are to govern themselves and their kingdoms; and pervert the judgment of the afflicted Which may be easily done by a drunken judge, because drunkenness deprives a man of the use of his reason; by which alone men can distinguish between right and wrong, and withal stirs up those passions in him, which incline him both to... read more

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