Proverbs 31, Bathsheba and King Solomon
Many Bible scholars agree that Lemuel is indeed Solomon and the mother here is Bathsheba. Although the very first thing that appears in our heads is David's scandal at the estimated age of 49 (since Solomon was 20 when he reigned and David was 70 years old that time) but we can't dismiss her role as the mother of Solomon.
Bathsheba had a bad start yet she later played a role as the mother of Solomon. David ended up having her has his only love as having all the other women deprived him of enjoying true love. Proverbs 31 has Solomon getting taught by his mother Bathsheba on the important points of how to rule wisely.
Bathsheba was giving Solomon on how to rule wisely. Sadly, he disobeyed such instructions to which we read in the Bible that Solomon later had 999 other women besides the woman in the Song of Solomon. Although he married to form alliances but these alliances were with heathen nations. He terribly backslid and it grieved God to whom he was beloved.
What a waste that Solomon ignored the advice of his mother Bathsheba in Proverbs 31. He was told to find a virtuous woman. He may have found her in the Song of Solomon but later in life - he started marrying pagan women. He already made a mistake by marrying an Egyptian princess. He then added more women as he terribly backslid. He was certainly making a mistake by not practicing what he preached in Proverbs. No wonder Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes as an entire book on repenting of his foolishness!
Bathsheba may have had in her mind about David's downfall was women. Who can forget the scandal that they both had? She was pretty much young enough to be David's daughter. David grew overconfident in his victories that it took only one woman to make him fall down. David's greatest enemy wasn't Goliath but his self-confidence. Later, after David was restored do we read that David even named one of his sons with Bathsheba as Nathan (1 Chronicles 3:5) - after the same prophet that brought them back to repentance.
It would be advisable for mothers themselves to teach their children the important lessons of Proverbs 31. It would be necessary too, to learn why Solomon fell down. He failed to listen to his mother's instructions later in life. Proverbs 31 provides such a useful insight for young men especially those who are in leadership position today yet many of them fail to heed it.
See also:
2 Samuel 12:24-25
And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. 25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
Bathsheba had a bad start yet she later played a role as the mother of Solomon. David ended up having her has his only love as having all the other women deprived him of enjoying true love. Proverbs 31 has Solomon getting taught by his mother Bathsheba on the important points of how to rule wisely.
Proverbs 31:1-9
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Bathsheba was giving Solomon on how to rule wisely. Sadly, he disobeyed such instructions to which we read in the Bible that Solomon later had 999 other women besides the woman in the Song of Solomon. Although he married to form alliances but these alliances were with heathen nations. He terribly backslid and it grieved God to whom he was beloved.
1 Kings 11:1-3
But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: 2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
Nehemiah 13:26
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
What a waste that Solomon ignored the advice of his mother Bathsheba in Proverbs 31. He was told to find a virtuous woman. He may have found her in the Song of Solomon but later in life - he started marrying pagan women. He already made a mistake by marrying an Egyptian princess. He then added more women as he terribly backslid. He was certainly making a mistake by not practicing what he preached in Proverbs. No wonder Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes as an entire book on repenting of his foolishness!
Bathsheba may have had in her mind about David's downfall was women. Who can forget the scandal that they both had? She was pretty much young enough to be David's daughter. David grew overconfident in his victories that it took only one woman to make him fall down. David's greatest enemy wasn't Goliath but his self-confidence. Later, after David was restored do we read that David even named one of his sons with Bathsheba as Nathan (1 Chronicles 3:5) - after the same prophet that brought them back to repentance.
It would be advisable for mothers themselves to teach their children the important lessons of Proverbs 31. It would be necessary too, to learn why Solomon fell down. He failed to listen to his mother's instructions later in life. Proverbs 31 provides such a useful insight for young men especially those who are in leadership position today yet many of them fail to heed it.
See also: