Who king Lemuel was is not known; some have thought that Solomon is referred to; a prophecy is also attributed to Agur, chapter 30. This final chapter of the remarkable book we have been studying, and one hopes, with profit to each of us, begins with sound advice to a king.
He must not give his strength to women, but Solomon did this very thing (1 Kings 11:1-8). He should not drink wine nor desire strong drink. These are (verses 6-7) for one ready to perish, or bitter of soul, to restore him. (See chapter 20:1). The king must be ready to provide for the dumb, and for orphans (verse 8). He must judge righteously and justly (verse 9).
Verses 10 to 31 describe the busy life of a good wife and mother. One of the evils of the modern age (and they are many) is the giving up by wives and mothers of their true responsibilities and privileges in their homes. These verses, in the Hebrew were in acrostic form, the first letter of each verse following the Hebrew alphabet as do a number of the Psalms to which attention has been called.
The woman of worth here pictured has her husband's full confidence (verse 11); he is for her, as she is for him (verse 12). She does not grumble (verse 13). She rises while it is still dark and gives food to her household and the day's work to her maidens.
She is concerned with matters of business within her sphere (verse 16), and is a pattern of industry (verses 17-19). The afflicted and needy (we have before noticed that God does not forget them, and would have them cared for by His children) are given help (verse 20).
She prepares winter clothing for cold weather (verse 21); she makes clothing to sell (verse 24). But all these virtues, desirable as they are, would not be sufficient without moral and spiritual qualities. Divinely given wisdom, and upon her tongue the law of kindness (verse 26), with the testimony of her children and her husband, complete the picture.
May the study of this chapter prove a blessing to Christian women in this day. Favor (really gracefulness) is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Women in Old Testament days did not enjoy the equality with men which has been theirs since the dawn of Christianity in the world.