Understanding Proverbs 31: Wisdom for Life and Leadership

An Oracle on Leadership and a Portrait of Wisdom

Proverbs 31 unfolds in two distinct parts. It begins in verses 1-9 with a queen mother's direct and practical advice to her son, King Lemuel, on the responsibilities and pitfalls of leadership. The scene then transitions in verses 10-31 to a celebrated poem that provides a vivid, tangible example of what a life of wisdom, diligence, and godly character looks like in action.

The King's Responsibilities  (Proverbs 31:1-9)

¹ The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
² What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?
³ Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
⁵ lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
⁶ Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
⁷ Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
⁸ Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
⁹ Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

The Unsurpassed Value of an Excellent Wife  (Proverbs 31:10-12)

¹⁰ An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
¹² She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

A Portrait of Diligence and Provision  (Proverbs 31:13-22)

¹³ She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
¹⁴ She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
¹⁵ She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
²⁰ She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her Character and Lasting Influence  (Proverbs 31:23-27)

²³ Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her True Source of Praise  (Proverbs 31:28-31)

²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.