In Proverbs chapter 31, the first 9 verses are a queen mother’s words of wisdom to her son. In this endearing memorable dialogue we receive the warnings and instruction for raising our own sons to be the head of their family and leaders in society.
As children of the King, we are royalty, no matter what physical condition we are in. Christ’s kingdom is seeded in me the moment I turned my heart and life over to Christ my Savior. The kingdom of the world will become the Kingdom of our Lord, and everything will be handed over to His saints, the true sons and daughters of God. (Daniel 7:27, Revelation 11:15, Galatians 5:19-21, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:11) This is what we make ourselves and our children ready for, to reign with Jesus Christ.
This noble mother (King David’s queen) gives her royal son 2 instructions with her wisdom behind them. “Do not spend your strength on women; your vigor on those who ruin kings.” “It is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.” (Proverbs 31:3-5)
Women and drunkenness will strip a man of his God-given authority and honor.
King Solomon had many wives for many reasons. As I consider what his queen mother meant by “do not spend your strength on women who ruin kings,” I believe she was referring to him not letting his wife/wives influence and lead him, but rather that he be fully responsible for his anointed responsibilities from God. It is a fact that the hundreds of wives that Solomon had were his downfall, but even one wife can bring down a man from fulfilling his purpose. We have Eve with her husband Adam to see this truth.
The queen tells her crowned son that there are others who would benefit more from beer and wine. “Give it to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.” (Proverbs 31:6-7) “….because anguish, poverty and misery are not your future, my son!”
The life of a true servant of God, whether he is a husband and father, teacher, preacher, doctor, police officer, pilot, developer, organizer, author, law maker, judge, soldier, president or king – is to: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are needy in any way. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)
I have a plaque that I was given after my grandmother died. It was hers and I believe the Lord wanted me to have it instead of my sisters. The words of this poem are so true because godly mothers raise godly children: “Remember the world will be quick with its blame – if shadow or stain ever darken your name. ‘Like mother, like son’ is a saying so true. The world will judge largely of ‘Mother’ by you.” (Unknown author)