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By Chris Hammond Proverbs 31:1.   King Solomon opens the chapter by recalling instructions that were given to him at a younger age by his mother.   These verses are meant not for women to follow but rather for young men who are dating and looking to find a wife.   It is an older woman’s reflection and advice given to her son on the type of woman that is good to marry well before he becomes King. Proverbs 31:2.   The close relationship between Solomon and his mother is seen in these passages as she identifies him as her dearly loved son whom she devoted to God.   This further indicates that the name “Lemuel” is not a real name but rather one that is a familiar name only known to Solomon and his parents. Proverbs 31:3.   Bathsheba’s opening plea is simple, “do not waste your strength on women,   on those who ruin kings”.   Solomon’s time, energy and effort have been sorely misplaced and she is begging him to choose a differe...

  By Chris Hammond Bathsheba’s Background.   She was the daughter of Eliam (2 Samuel 11:3) who was one of David’s thirty mighty men (2 Samuel 23:34) and she was married to Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:3), a commander in David’s army.   However close her husband and father were to David, she was not known to David by sight as he had to ask who she was (2 Samuel 11:3). David’s Betrayal.   Despite the loyalty Eliam and Uriah had shown to David in his army, David does not return the same level of loyalty and instead requests that Bathsheba be sent to him while her husband was out at war, fighting for Israel.   At this time, David had already acquired several wives and concubines so he was not at loss for attention, rather his lust for Bathsheba took over and he committed adultery (2 Samuel 11:2-4). Bathsheba’s pregnancy.   Bathsheba becomes pregnant and all David’s attempts cover-up their sin fail, so he has Uriah killed (2 Samuel...

  By Chris Hammond Proverbs 31 has been touted as the picture perfect ideal woman with many women trying to accomplish all that is contained in in these verses.   It is held up in churches and especially Christian women’s organizations as an example to follow, a woman to become, and instructions on how to be the perfect wife.   But these verses offer so much more the just the ideal.   They are instead reflections of deep remorse, overwhelming regret, and sadness over what could have been.   So few have actually taken time to break down the verses and understand the context in which these verses are written.   By looking at the lives of the people surrounding the verse and their life experiences, the verses come alive and invite you too to reflect on the many lessons learned about your own life.   For once you have fully understood the context of the verses, than the true meaning of the verses becomes clearer and more powerful. The Boo...