Pro 31 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Prov 31:1-9: 31:1-9 Lemuel, like Agur, might have been from Massa (see study note on 30:1). Lemuel’s mother’s teaching encourages him to control his lusts (particularly for women and alcohol) so that he might reign justly. • Apart from this passage, Lemuel is unknown.

Summary for Prov 31:1-9: 31:1-9 ^a Lemuel, like Agur, might have been from Massa (see study note on 30:1). Lemuel’s mother’s teaching encourages him to control his lusts (particularly for women and alcohol) so that he might reign justly.

• Apart from this passage, Lemuel is unknown.
Summary for Prov 31:2-3: 31:2-3 ^b The admonition not to waste energy on lust for women echoes earlier warnings (ch 5 ^c; 6:20-35 ^d; 7:1-27 ^e).
Summary for Prov 31:4-7: 31:4-7 ^f Too much wine numbs the senses. A king needs his wits about him and should not overindulge in alcohol.
Summary for Prov 31:8-9: 31:8-9 ^g Rather than opening his mouth to drink wine (31:4-7 ^h), the king should speak up on behalf of the defenseless.
Summary for Prov 31:10-31: 31:10-31 ⁱ Proverbs ends with a powerful poem celebrating the virtuous wife. The poem’s acrostic arrangement gives an impression of completeness and provides the student with an aid for learning.
Summary for Prov 31:10-12: 31:10-12 ^j No one can find a virtuous and capable wife without God’s help (18:22 ^k). Such a woman, like wisdom, is more precious than rubies (cp. 3:15 ^l).
Summary for Prov 31:13-15: 31:13-15 ^m This wife works to provide food and clothing for her family.
Summary for Prov 31:16-18: 31:16-18 ⁿ An excellent wife is engaged in commercial enterprises outside her home.
Summary for Prov 31:19-21: 31:19-21 ^o A virtuous wife is generous to the poor, another characteristic of wise people (11:24-26 ^p; 21:13 ^q; 22:9 ^r, 16 ^s, 22-23 ^t; 28:27 ^u).
Summary for Prov 31:22-24: 31:22-24 ^v A capable wife’s industriousness enables her husband to distinguish himself among community leaders. In ancient Israel, civic leaders met at the city gates to conduct trials and make decisions.
Summary for Prov 31:25-27: 31:25-27 ^w The noble wife’s character exemplifies wisdom. She is coolheaded as she faces future uncertainties. She gives advice in a winsome way.
Summary for Prov 31:28-29: 31:28-29 ^x Those most important to the woman testify to her character, abilities, and achievements.
Summary for Prov 31:30-31: 31:30-31 ^y The book concludes where it began, by affirming the ultimate importance of the fear of the Lord (see 1:7 ^z). A woman’s character is more important than her physical beauty.