Single lesson
Proverbs 31: The Sayings for King Lemuel
Proverbs 31:1–9; Proverbs 31:10–31
Proverbs 31 has two connected parts: teaching for King Lemuel and a description of a worthy woman. Children will compare both parts and notice how the chapter points to righteous justice, wise speech and fearing Yahweh.
Before you teach
The chapter starts with words Lemuel’s mother taught him. She warns him against choices that damage justice and tells him to speak for those who are poor, needy or unable to speak for themselves. The second part asks who can find a worthy woman and praises her work, generosity, wisdom and fear of Yahweh.
Students will be able to identify one instruction given to Lemuel, one quality of the worthy woman, and explain that the chapter values righteous justice and fearing Yahweh.
Welcome: Notice the two parts
4 minShow children that Proverbs 31 begins with a mother’s teaching to a king, then moves to a description of a worthy woman. Ask them to listen for repeated values in both parts. Explain that this lesson compares what Lemuel is told to do with what the woman is praised for doing.
Proverbs 31:1, Proverbs 31:8, Proverbs 31:10, Proverbs 31:30
Read and explain: Teaching for King Lemuel
7 minRead verses 1 to 9 aloud. Point out that Lemuel’s mother warns him not to follow ways that destroy kings and not to drink in a way that leads to forgetting the law and perverting justice. Verses 6 and 7 contrast the king’s duty with drink given to people in deep misery. Finish with her clear command to judge righteously for the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:1, Proverbs 31:3, Proverbs 31:4, Proverbs 31:5, Proverbs 31:6, Proverbs 31:7, Proverbs 31:8, Proverbs 31:9
Discuss: What the worthy woman is like
7 minRead selected verses from 10 to 31. Help children spot her trustworthiness, effort, planning and care for others. She provides for her household, helps the poor and speaks with wisdom and kind instruction. When you explain ‘fears Yahweh’, keep close to verse 30, which says this is the reason she is praised above charm and beauty.
Proverbs 31:10, Proverbs 31:11, Proverbs 31:15, Proverbs 31:20, Proverbs 31:26, Proverbs 31:27, Proverbs 31:30
Make and respond: Reminder card
8 minChildren choose one verse or short line from the chapter and make a small card with the reference and a picture. Add a heading, ‘My response’, so children know their action sentence is their application, not a Bible quotation. Invite them to share whether their verse fits Lemuel’s teaching, the worthy woman’s example, or both.
Proverbs 31:8, Proverbs 31:9, Proverbs 31:20, Proverbs 31:26, Proverbs 31:30
Closing: Summarise the chapter carefully
4 minReview both parts together. Lemuel is told to use his position for righteous justice, especially for the poor and needy. The worthy woman is praised for wise words, diligent work and fearing Yahweh. Ask children to finish this sentence: ‘Proverbs 31 praises righteous justice and a woman who fears Yahweh.’
Proverbs 31:8, Proverbs 31:9, Proverbs 31:26, Proverbs 31:30, Proverbs 31:31
Questions to explore
Why does Lemuel’s mother warn kings about wine and strong drink?
Look at what she says could happen: a king might forget the law and pervert the justice due to afflicted people, and verses 6 to 7 set this against people in deep misery.
Proverbs 31:4, Proverbs 31:5, Proverbs 31:6, Proverbs 31:7
Which verses show that the worthy woman cares for people beyond herself?
Find lines about feeding her household, opening her hands to the poor and needy, and speaking with wisdom and kind instruction.
Proverbs 31:15, Proverbs 31:20, Proverbs 31:26, Proverbs 31:27
According to the chapter, what is the true reason this woman should be praised?
The answer is stated directly near the end, where charm and beauty are compared with fearing Yahweh.
Proverbs 31:30, Proverbs 31:31
Make, think or respond
Proverbs 31 Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured markers or crayons
- Bible text
Try it together
- Read several short lines from Proverbs 31 and let each child choose one verse or phrase.
- Ask them to write the verse reference and draw a simple picture that matches the verse.
- Tell them to add the label ‘My response’ and then write one present-day action they think fits the teaching.
- Invite each child to share whether their card connects most with Lemuel’s teaching, the worthy woman’s example, or both.
This activity helps children separate the Bible’s words from their own response while remembering the chapter’s focus on righteous justice, wise living and fearing Yahweh.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer three short choices to copy, such as ‘Open your mouth’, ‘Kind instruction’, or ‘Fears Yahweh’, and let them explain the verse with a drawing.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to make two columns: ‘What Lemuel is told’ and ‘What the worthy woman does’, then list matching ideas from each part.
An optional closing prayer
‘God, please help us speak what is right, care about justice for people in need, and learn to honour you in our words and actions.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Proverbs 31
1 The 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!
3 Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5 lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.