The big picture
Lemuel, a king whose setting is not further explained, receives teaching from his mother. She warns him against wasting strength and letting drink corrupt judgement, then charges him to defend poor people. The chapter turns to a capable woman whose value exceeds jewels. She earns trust, manages resources, works, trades, gives to the needy, and speaks wisely. Her household praises her, and reverence for the Lord is named above passing beauty. Her own work deserves public recognition.
In this chapter
- A Mother Calls the King to Defend Others Proverbs 31:1-9
The king's mother addresses the son she bore and pledged in vows.
- Her Worth Is Shown in Lasting Trust Proverbs 31:10-12
The poem asks who can find a woman of strong character and ability.
- Skilled Hands and Judgement Supply the Home Proverbs 31:13-19
She seeks wool and flax and works willingly with her hands.
- Provision Reaches Beyond the Household Proverbs 31:20-24
Her hands reach towards poor and needy people.
- Strength and Kind Speech Prepare the Future Proverbs 31:25-27
Strength and honour are pictured as her clothing.
- Her Work and Reverence Deserve Public Honour Proverbs 31:28-31
Her children rise to call her blessed, and her husband adds his praise.
Central truth
True worth appears in fair rule and a capable woman's faithful work, generous care, wise speech, and reverence for the Lord.
Scripture beside the summary
Proverbs · King James Version · 31Proverbs 31:1-9
A Mother Calls the King to Defend Others
The king's mother addresses the son she bore and pledged in vows. He must not waste his strength in conduct that destroys rulers. Wine and strong drink are unsafe for kings because drunkenness makes them forget law and twist poor people's cases. Drink is described as relief for those dying or crushed by misery. It is not permission for a ruler to neglect duty. He must speak for those without a voice, judge fairly, and defend the needy. Royal strength is to serve people who cannot secure a hearing by themselves.
In everyday life
A hearing chair declines drinks before an evening review of emergency housing cases. She keeps the files in front of her and asks the quiet applicant to finish speaking before questions begin. Her comfort cannot outrank the decisions affecting those families. The role requires clear judgement and a voice for the unheard. Proverbs addresses a king's duties through his mother's teaching.
Notice
Proverbs 31:5 The danger of royal drinking is tied to distorted judgement for afflicted people. The warning measures the ruler's habit by what it does to those under his power.
Proverbs 31:1-9
King James Version1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:10-12
Her Worth Is Shown in Lasting Trust
The poem asks who can find a woman of strong character and ability. Her worth is placed far above jewels. Her husband trusts her deeply and lacks no needed gain through her care. She acts for his good rather than harm throughout life. This opening describes a dependable partnership before listing tasks or possessions. The coming portrait is not based only on how she looks or how busy she appears. It begins with character that makes another person safe to trust and with good carried through time.
In everyday life
The business co-owner leaves the accounts with his wife while he attends to a family emergency. She keeps the payments accurate, answers honestly, and protects commitments already made. He returns knowing the work and their trust have both been cared for. Her worth is not confined to the balance sheet. Proverbs praises a woman's faithful good across a whole life.
Notice
Proverbs 31:11 The husband's trust is placed before the long account of her work. Her ability matters within a relationship where reliance is made safe by character.
Proverbs 31:10-12
King James Version10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:13-19
Skilled Hands and Judgement Supply the Home
She seeks wool and flax and works willingly with her hands. Food is brought from afar like goods on merchant ships. Rising before dawn, she supplies the household and assigns portions to the women working with her. She weighs a field before buying it and plants a vineyard from her earnings. Strength supports her labour, and she recognises the value of what she makes. Her lamp remains lit into the night as she handles the tools for spinning thread. Work here includes planning, trade, investment, skill, and care for dependants.
In everyday life
A textile-shop owner checks fabric prices before dawn, pays her assistants, and reviews a small storage property before signing the purchase. Her sewing work has produced the funds, but she still measures whether the space will serve the business. Skill and judgement meet in the same working day. Proverbs places these abilities within an ancient household and vineyard economy.
Notice
Proverbs 31:16 The field is considered before it is bought. The portrait gives her active judgement over investment, not only skill in carrying out tasks set by someone else.
Proverbs 31:13-19
King James Version13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
Proverbs 31:20-24
Provision Reaches Beyond the Household
Her hands reach towards poor and needy people. Care for her own household does not close them to others. She has prepared clothing for cold weather, so snow brings no panic. Fine coverings and rich garments show the quality of her work and resources. Her husband has a respected place among the elders at the public gate. She also makes linen for sale and supplies belts to merchants. The poem joins generosity, preparation, household standing, and trade. The same active hands serve both economic life and people who lack its security.
In everyday life
A clothing-maker sets aside warm coats for a local shelter after checking that her staff's winter uniforms are ready. She packs the shop orders next, keeping the donated goods as carefully finished as those for sale. Household and business needs do not erase the neighbour's need. Her work reaches several circles. Proverbs locates that care within a prominent ancient household.
Notice
Proverbs 31:20 The hands used for production are also opened to poor people. The portrait gives her resources an outward purpose instead of measuring success by accumulation alone.
Proverbs 31:20-24
King James Version20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Proverbs 31:25-27
Strength and Kind Speech Prepare the Future
Strength and honour are pictured as her clothing. She can face the future with joy rather than being ruled by dread. Her mouth opens with wisdom, and kindness governs her teaching. She watches the household's ways closely and does not live from idle consumption. The portrait joins work with speech and oversight. Being capable is not presented as a reason to become harsh. The home receives guidance as well as goods, and the future is met through care already practised rather than a boast about controlling every event.
In everyday life
A garment-workshop supervisor notices a new worker struggling with the cutting pattern and explains it beside the bench without ridicule. She checks the week's supplies while leaving time for the lesson. Her authority is strong enough to be patient. The work and the people doing it both receive attention. Proverbs praises wisdom and kindness throughout a woman's household care.
Notice
Proverbs 31:26 Wisdom and kindness appear together in her speech. The portrait does not make skill an excuse for cruelty or treat gentle teaching as weakness.
Proverbs 31:25-27
King James Version25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:28-31
Her Work and Reverence Deserve Public Honour
Her children rise to call her blessed, and her husband adds his praise. He says many women have acted with strength, but she surpasses them in his eyes. Charm can mislead and beauty fades; reverence for the Lord supplies a firmer ground for honour. The closing call asks that she receive the fruit of her hands and be praised publicly for her works. Private gratitude is not the whole response. The woman whose labour sustains others deserves recognition at the gates, where the community's affairs are heard.
In everyday life
A family gathers at the opening of a woman's new shop and names the years of work, care, and patient teaching behind it. Her daughter points to the finished goods. Her husband thanks her before the guests. They give her credit rather than treating the results as appearing by themselves. Proverbs places reverence for the Lord above passing appearance.
Notice
Proverbs 31:31 The praise belongs at the public gates as well as within the family. Her work is to receive visible credit in the wider community it helps sustain.
Proverbs 31:28-31
King James Version28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Proverbs 31:1 begins with “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.”
Where the chapter turns
Proverbs 31:10 forms a natural hinge: “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
The final note
Proverbs 31:31 leaves the reader with “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words hands, drink, household, husband, kings, mouth help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- virtuous
- Capable, strong in character, and faithful in conduct.
- distaff
- A rod holding unspun fibre while thread is made.
- girdles
- Belts or sashes worn around the waist.
- dumb
- Unable to speak, used here for those whose cause needs a voice.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
