Read & explore together
The Sayings for King Lemuel
Proverbs 31:1–9 presents a mother’s teaching to King Lemuel. The passage speaks as wisdom and direct instruction, warning a ruler about destructive habits and urging him to use his words and judgement to protect vulnerable people.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
The passage begins by identifying these as the words taught to King Lemuel by his mother. Her speech moves from a personal appeal, to warnings about what can ruin kings, to a strong call for righteous judgement and justice for people in need.
Proverbs 31:1–9Main takeaway
This passage teaches that those with authority should avoid what weakens judgement and should speak up to defend the afflicted, poor and needy.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A mother’s serious teachingThe passage opens by saying these are the words taught to King Lemuel by his mother. Her repeated address, “my son”, “son of my womb”, and “son of my vows”, gives the speech a personal and weighty tone.
Explanation
The passage opens by saying these are the words taught to King Lemuel by his mother. Her repeated address, “my son”, “son of my womb”, and “son of my vows”, gives the speech a personal and weighty tone. This is not casual advice but deliberate instruction.
02Warnings about what ruins rulersLemuel is told not to give his strength to women, nor follow ways that destroy kings. He is also warned that kings and princes should not seek wine and strong drink, because drinking can lead them to forget the law and twist justice for afflicted people.
Explanation
Lemuel is told not to give his strength to women, nor follow ways that destroy kings. He is also warned that kings and princes should not seek wine and strong drink, because drinking can lead them to forget the law and twist justice for afflicted people.
03Strong drink in a different settingVerses 6–7 speak differently about strong drink. It is given to one who is ready to perish and to the bitter in soul, so that he may forget his poverty and remember his misery no more.
Explanation
Verses 6–7 speak differently about strong drink. It is given to one who is ready to perish and to the bitter in soul, so that he may forget his poverty and remember his misery no more. By contrast, kings are warned against drinking lest they forget the law and pervert justice.
04Use your voice for justiceThe passage ends with repeated commands to “open your mouth”. Lemuel is to speak for the mute, for those left desolate, and to judge righteously.
Explanation
The passage ends with repeated commands to “open your mouth”. Lemuel is to speak for the mute, for those left desolate, and to judge righteously. Justice is especially named for the poor and needy, showing that power should be used to protect those who are easily overlooked.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons does the passage give for warning kings about wine and strong drink?
Look for the effect described in the text: drinking may make them forget the law and pervert justice due to afflicted people.
02How does the mother show that her words to Lemuel are personal and serious?
Notice how she addresses him repeatedly as her son and introduces the speech as teaching she gave him.
03Who is Lemuel told to speak for, and what is he meant to do for them?
The passage names the mute, the desolate, the poor and the needy, and calls for righteous judgement and justice.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 31:1–9
1The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”