Proverbs 31:6-10
 
Prov 31:6 (KJB)
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
 
Here she counsels him not to drink it himself but dole it out to those who are ready to perish. Just as doctors today give morphine or other pain killers to those who are dying from a major disease, Lemuel’s mother said that he should give the strong drink to those who are getting ready to perish. It may help them through the times of much pain. Paul told Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach’s sake, that is, for his ailment. She also said that he should give wine to those who are heavily afflicted and maybe it will help cheer them up for a short time. There is also a spiritual lesson here. Wine sometimes represents the Holy Spirit and those who are heavily afflicted or are melancholy should have the Gospel preached to them and if they become saved, then their hearts will no longer be heavy.
 
Prov 31:7 (KJB)
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
 
The afflicted ones will drink and this will cause them to temporarily forget their poverty and misery. The problem is that when a person sobers up, they still have the problems but now they have added a hangover to them. Sometimes people are in such dire straits, they believe that if they just stay drunk then their problems will float out of existence. Lemuel’s mother states that he should give his supply of beverage to the less fortunate and maybe it will help them temporarily forget their misery.
 
Prov 31:8 (KJB)
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
 
Here the counsel is that the king needs to intervene on behalf of those who are unable to speak for themselves whether it be physical impediment or that they are uneducated. If accusations have been brought against them which may require capital punishment and they are unable to defend themselves, then their lack of ability may contribute to a wrong verdict being given and if they are innocent, they will be executed. This is why the King must speak for them, to prevent anything like that from happening.
 
Prov 31:9 (KJB)
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
 
Plead the cause - To administer justice
 
Here the counsel is to administer the proper justice by making the judgments righteously. This means they must be objective. Just because the poor are poor, does not automatically mean they are innocent and just because the rich are rich does not mean they are guilty. Both sides of the case must be heard and only the facts must decide it and not social standing. Since the poor people do not have the resources of the rich, they normally would need extra help and maybe another advocate in court. This is why the poor and needy must have their case judged righteously and, if possible, with the help of the King to offset the counsel that the rich can afford.
 
Prov 31:10 (KJB)
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
 
Her price - Her value
 
Now the counsel is given concerning finding the right woman for the King. Previously his mother counseled him not to give his strength to women but here she is speaking about finding the most compatible mate. She speaks of a virtuous woman who has a value far above rubies which is a precious stone. Rubies were desirable because they represented wealth but a woman’s good character is way more valuable than anything which can be considered a material possession.

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