Brian Kenyon

A mother’s words, when heeded, can change the course of history. On this day, many lessons will undoubtedly be given on the “Virtuous Woman” of Proverbs 31:10-31. However, there is another, less known, mother whose life saving advice is recorded in that same chapter. It begins, “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy [utterance, NKJ] that his mother taught him” (Pr. 31:1).

We know nothing about King Lemuel or his mother, except what is revealed in Proverbs 31:1-9. The name “Lemuel” means “unto God,” or “belonging to God.” A queen mother was very influential in Old Testament times (cf. 1 Kgs. 1:11-13; 15:13; 2 Kgs. 9:22; 11:1). Proverbs 31:1-9 records King Lemuel’s mother’s words to her son. Although there is no explicit “Thus saith the Lord” in her advice, it comes with divine approval as evidenced by its inclusion in the God-inspired Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17 cf. Rom. 15:4).

A Mother’s Child Matters

King Lemuel’s mother’s advice begins with a series of questions that emphasizes the importance she has attached to her son. “What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?” (Pr. 31:2). “What” carries the force of “What shall I say,” and its repetition three times underscores her genuine concern. The three time repetition of “son” shows the seriousness of what is to follow. Emphasis is on the need for unbroken concentration, attentiveness, and receptivity to the mother’s instruction. The “son of my vows” indicates that King Lemuel, like Samuel, was a son whom his mother had pledged to the Lord (cf. 1 Sam. 1:11, 27). This helps explain why she is so concerned about his ruling properly. When a mother “vows” her child to the Lord, she will “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Pr. 22:6). This takes sacrifice and risk, but the potential for reward is worth it. We are grateful for mothers today, like King Lemuel’s, whose children matter so much to them that they have determined to train them in the paths of righteousness.

Warning Against Women

Because her son mattered, King Lemuel’s mother warned him against the dangers of wicked women. She said, “Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings” (Pr. 31:3). Obviously, the term “women” does not include all women, but, as the parallelism indicates, only those who can “destroy” (ruin) him (cf. Deut. 17:17; 1 Kgs. 11:1-2; Neh. 13:26). When a person is obsessed with lust, a person’s moral senses become blurred, and he or she looses sound judgment. A king must keep his desires in check or else the foundation of his authority and the principles of sound government will be undermined. How many mothers today warn their children about those of the opposite sex who through lust can bring their children to ruin? Let us all heed King Lemuel’s mother’s warning (cf. Pr. 2:16-19; 5:3-13; 6:24-26; 23:26-28).

Warning Against Wine

Because her son mattered, King Lemuel’s mother also warned him against the dangers of intoxicating wine. She told him, “It 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” (Pr. 31.4-5). One who would rule well over a nation must first rule well over oneself. In the Bible, the word “wine” does not always refer to intoxicating beverage. It literally means the juice of the grape, or even the grape itself (Isa. 65:8). Context must determine meaning. Obviously, as the parallelism indicates, this “wine” refers to “strong drink” that causes forgetfulness and perversion of justice. Intoxicating beverages are the natural ally of wicked women and an equal threat to a king’s ability to rule well. Legal responsibility is what is at stake. When drunk, kings are likely to forget the law, and thus be rendered unfit to carry out true justice.

King Lemuel’s mother told her son the legitimate use for strong drink—medicine. “Give 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” (Pr. 31:6-7). Alcohol was a legitimate medicine in Bible times. The Good Samaritan used wine as first aid to the man who fell among thieves (Lk. 10:34). Paul told Timothy to “take a little wine for thy stomach’s sake” (1 Tim. 5:23). However, in our culture, we have much more effective and less addictive medicines. How many mothers today warn their children about the dangers of alcohol?

All of us must heed King Lemuel’s mother’s warning against wine. God does not approve of drunkenness (Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 6:10; 1 Pet. 2:11). God even pronounces a woe upon those who provide occasion for others to get drunk (Hab. 2:15), which, by the way, is how we know that Jesus did not turn water into intoxicating wine (Jn. 2:1-11). Jesus never sinned (Heb. 4:15)! The Book of Proverbs paints the real picture of alcoholic beverages (cf. Pr. 20:1; 21:17; 23:29-35). Do not be deceived by the “beautiful” beer commercials!

Instruction to Defend the Defenseless

Because her son mattered, King Lemuel’s mother instructed him to see that justice prevailed. “Open thy mouth for the dumb [speechless, NKJ] in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction [to die, NKJ]. 9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Pr. 31:8-9). His mother told him to speak for those who could not speak for themselves and to seek justice for those whom the world found easy to deny justice. King Lemuel’s mother knew that “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Pr. 13:34). We also must defend the defenseless (Lk. 10:30-37 cf. Gal. 6:10; Jas. 1:27).

How many mothers today would care enough about their sons to warn them against women and wine and to instruct them to seek and help the disadvantaged? How many sons would heed this mother’s warnings and instruction? We are thankful for mothers who care enough to warn and instruct. Keep up the good work, “be not weary in well doing,” and happy Mother’s Day!