The book of Proverbs presents different dimensions of the personification of women. Wise woman, adulterous woman, nagging woman among many others. In this post, we shall focus on the mother of King Lemuel as mentioned in Proverbs 31:1. First, who is King Lemuel and who was his mother? Different Biblical scholars attribute King Lemuel to King Solomon and few others attribute King Lemuel to King Hezekiah. If King Lemuel was a pseudonym for King Solomon or maybe his mother’s pet name for him, then the mother here would have been Bethsheba. We will not focus so much on who Lemuel and his mother were, but rather spend time to understand the timeless advice shared by the mother of Lemuel. Many women play instrumental roles in the lives of their sons. Depending on such relationships, some sons tend to be more reliant on their mothers unduly causing strife and enmity between their mothers and wives. Your mother will always be your mother but she can never replace your wife. Thus, understanding the role dynamics of each helps to keep a peaceful relationship between son and mother, daughter-in-law and mother and within the three.
The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him. (Proverbs 31:1)
King Lemuel recorded these wise utterances from his mother. Proverbs 31:1 begins as this: "The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him." We don't know at what time in King Lemuel's life his mother gave this inspired utterance. It could be before he became a king or after he became a king. These words seem to be an important part of Lemuel. His mother begins by calling out to her son: "Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!" (Proverbs 31:2). She advised her son against womanizing: "Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings" (Proverbs 31:3). The mother also caution Lemuel on the potency of alcohol to ruin Kings. She said: "It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more." (Proverbs 31:4-7).
The mother of Lemuel finally advised the son on matters of justice and fairness. She said, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9). It is expected of rulers to be just and fair. Whenever rulers are blinded by bribes, they tend to pervert justice and the poor and needy tend to be at the mercies of the law. The mother of Lemuel understood that kings are not measured by just their wealth but by how they influenced their nations, societies and people. She understood that no King can be excellent in matters of state and leadership if their focus is to spend their strength on different women; drink alcohol and be drunk; and refuse to apply justice and fairness. These words are timeless and still relevant in the 21st century. Any ruler who busy themselves in lifestyles that do not promote good governance, accountability and fairness is at risk of losing their position.
The mother of King Lemuel does an excellent job by imprinting these words in her son. Some of the lessons we learn from this woman include the following:
Words are powerful: These sayings have survived years and are still relevant.
Mothers play instrumental roles: The king did not ignore the wisdom in his mother’s words. All mothers and motherly figures in our lives play instrumental roles. However, know when their roles cease so they do not become a distraction in your marriage and home.
Immorality can debase even a king: Lemuel's mother advised that the trap of sexual immorality through womanizing can ruin a king. It still does today. Any young man who spends his time changing women, sleeping with different women etc. cannot achieve anything good in life.
Alcohol is a life zapper not a life saver! Since the time of Noah, all the vile use of alcoholic drinks have disgraced men and women of nobility. If you can stay away, avoid making alcohol your companion.
Justice and fairness are timeless: If we fail to apply justice and fairness, we fail to understand the weightier matters of the law. We will be judged by our actions.
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