Wesley Corpus

Chapter XXXI An exhortation to Lemuel, ver. 1 - 9. A description of good wife, ver. 10 - 31. Lemuel - Of Solomon, by the general consent both of Jewish and Christian writers; this name signifies one from God, or belonging to God, and such an one was Solomon eminently, being given by God to David and Bathsheba, as a pledge of his reconciliation to them after their repentance. Possibly his mother gave him this name to mind him of his great obligations to God, and of the justice of his devoting himself to God's service. What - A short speech, arguing her great passion for him; what words shall I take What counsels shall I give thee My heart is full, but where shall I begin Of my womb - My son, not by adoption, but whom I bare in the womb, and therefore it is my duty to give thee admonitions, and thine to receive them. My vows - On whose behalf I have made many prayers and sacrifices, and solemn vows to God; whom I have, as far as in me lay, devoted to the work, and service, and glory of God. Strength - The vigour of thy mind and body. Ways - Thy conversation, repeated in other words. To drink - To excess. To perish - To faint; for such need a cordial. The dumb - For such as cannot speak in their own cause, either through ignorance, or because of the dread of their more potent adversaries. Destruction - Who, without such succour from the judges, are like to be utterly ruined. A virtuous woman - Here he lays down several qualifications of an excellent wife, which are delivered in alphabetical order, each verse beginning with a several letter of the Hebrew alphabet. No need - He shall have no need to use indirect courses to get wealth. Flax - That she may find employment for her servants. Worketh - She encourages them to work by her example; which was a common practice among princesses in those first ages.