Geneva Study Bible The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. The words of king {a} Lemuel, the {b} prophecy that his mother taught him.
(a) That is, of Solomon who was called Lemuel, that is, of God, because God had ordained him to be king over Israel. (b) The doctrine which his mother Bathsheba taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? What, my son? and what, the son of {c} my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
(c) By this often repetition of one thing, she declares her motherly affection. Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. Give not thy strength to women, {d} nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
(d) Meaning, that women are the destruction of kings, if they hunt them. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes {e} strong drink:
(e) That is, the king must not give himself to wantonness, and neglect of his office, which is to execute judgment. Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Let him drink, and forget {f} his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
(f) For wine comforts the heart as in Ps 104:15. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth for the {g} dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
(g) Defend their cause that are not able to help themselves. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of {h} spoil.
(h) He will not need to use any unlawful means to gain his living. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a {i} portion to her maidens.
(i) She prepares their food early. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She considereth a field, and {k} buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
(k) She purchases it with the gains of her travail. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. Her husband is known in the {l} gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
(l) In the assemblies and places of judgment. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. {m} Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
(m) After he had spoken of the apparel of the body, he now declares the apparel of the spirit. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the {n} law of kindness.
(n) Her tongue is a book by which one might learn many good things: for she delights to talk of the word of God. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Her children rise up, and {o} call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
(o) That is, do her reverence. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Give {p} her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the {q} gates. (p) Confess her diligent labours, and commend her therefore. (q) Forasmuch as the most honourable are clad in the apparel that she made. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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