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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 31:9

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

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 31:8-9

The third exhortation, admonishing the king to judge righteously. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:8-9

The function and the privilege of power God gives to some men place and power; they may inherit it, or they may win their way to it by the force of their talent or their merit. When they have reached it, what should be the use they make of it? We may look first at— I. WHAT HAS BEEN ITS HABIT . Only too often the actual use that has been made of high station and of civil or military lower is that of Men have used their elevation only to drink the sweet cup of pleasure; or to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:9

Plead the cause; rather, minister judgment, or do right ; act in your official capacity so that the effect shall be substantial justice (comp. Zechariah 8:16 ). read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:1-9

A mother’s advice to a king (31:1-9)King Lemuel was probably a non-Israelite from a neighbouring nation, but his mother appears to have been a God-fearing woman who vowed her son to God (31:1-2). The main desire of some kings was to get themselves as much pleasure as possible, chiefly through women and wine. Lemuel is warned that such interests distract a king from his proper duties and result in lawlessness and injustice (3-5). Strong drink deadens pain and dulls the mind. Therefore, among the... read more

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