Proverbs 31:1 says, The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.  Matthew Henry says that most think that Lemuel was Solomon, and maybe the name was an affectionate name that his mother called him.  Whether Solomon, or another king, we accept that the One Who inspired the words is God.  The writer says that these are things his mother taught him, and mothers, especially Christian mothers, should teach their children the values of God.  Verse two asks, What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?  I believe this is just a call for the son to listen, based on the fact that she is his mother.  We should always listen when our mothers give us instruction.  As Matthew Henry says, it can also mean that she was questioning some of the king's actions.  Verse three declares, Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.  The king is warned against giving away his strength to women.  This is a warning against giving away one's character, or strength, chasing after things that could ultimately destroy a king, or even an ordinary person.  Verse four says, It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:  I believe this is a warning against being drunk.  Those in power should never allow their decisions to be influenced by alcohol, or any other mind altering substance.  Verse five tells us this, stating, Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.  Again, too much wine can alter a person's judgment, so those in power should never allow themselves to be controlled by it.  Verse six states, Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.  I believe that this means that strong wine or strong drinks should be used for medicinal purposes.  If someone is about to die or is very depressed, it may help them.  Still, we are not to become reliant on alcohol or drugs to relieve our heavy hearts.  Verse seven says, Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.  This is still referring to those near death or in extreme mental anguish.  Of course, it could mean that when people are drunk, they tend to forget everything else.  Verse eight says, Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.  Then verse nine continues, Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.  Kings, or rulers, should speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.  They are to judge righteously and defend the poor and needy.  The same is required by God for all those who follow Him.

Proverbs 30:17 says, The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.  I believe that this means that those who do not honor their parents will ultimately pay a price for not doing so.  It is not so much about the parents deserving honor or respect as it is about the child's attitude.  Verse eighteen states, There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:  Then verse nineteen adds, The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.  Some things are unpredictable.  When an eagle is in flight, we don't know which way it will go, the same as with a serpent on a rock.  A ship, in the time this was written, was dependent on the wind for its direction and could often be driven off course.  I believe the way of a man with a maid means the way that he will treat her.  Verse twenty says, Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.  Though this speaks of a woman, I believe that we can just as easily apply it to men as well.  Some people feel that they have done nothing wrong if they commit adultery.  This seems to be especially true in the world today.  Verse twenty-one states, For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:  Then verse twenty-two adds, For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;  Then verse twenty-three concludes, For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.  These three verses speak of four things that disquiet, or cause problems in,  the world.  The first is a servant who somehow feels that he or she should rule over his or her Master.  We could say employee to employer instead of servant and master.  The next is a fool when full of food.  When their needs are met, foolish people, or those who do not acknowledge God, are even more difficult to reach with God's word.  Next is a woman who is hard to get along with being even worse after she is married.  Finally, the servant who inherits the estate of the master through making Him or her self seem indispensable.  Verse twenty-four says, There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:   Verse twenty-five adds, The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;   Verse twenty-six continues, The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;  Then verse twenty-seven adds, The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;   Then verse twenty-eight concludes, The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.  These are simple animals that act wisely, which is more than can always be said of people.  We need to learn to be as diligent as they are.  Of course, we need to do this under the leadership of God.  Verse twenty-nine says, There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:  Verse thirty adds, A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;  Then verse thirty-one concludes, A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.  These three verses speak of powerful things that hard to overcome.  A lion does not turn aside from other animals, a greyhound is nearly impossible to catch, and a male goat will rule his flock.  Then, there is the king who is so powerful that none will challenge him.  Matthew Henry says that this means that we are to be strong in our faith, fast to share the gospel, protective of our families, and most of all, submissive to the will of God, our great King.  Verse thirty-two states, If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.  If we are tempted to exalt ourselves or have evil thoughts, we are to at least keep ourselves from speaking these things.  We may not be able to completely control our thoughts, but we can control our speech.  Verse thirty-three says, Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.  Somethings just bring obvious results, and the one we really need to understand is that when we act out of wrath, or anger, we are going to cause strife.  We, as followers of Christ, are called on to always act out of love and concern for others.

Proverbs 30:1 says,The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,  This chapter of Proverbs is attributed to someone other than Solomon, someone named Agur.  Matthew Henry says that could refer to someone who collects wise sayings, but is most likely the person's name.  Either way, these are divinely inspired teachings preserved for us today.  Verse two states,  Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.  I believe that this is a reference to the man's own ability apart from God's guidance.  We are likewise incapable of understanding God's will without God's guidance.  Verse three adds, I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.  Solomon had spoken of his wisdom, but Agur speaks of his lack of wisdom.  He recognizes that he does not know everything about the Holy, or God, and so must we. Verse four asks, Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?  Agur seems to be acknowledging people's inability to know God without His revelation of Himself.  He also acknowledges Christ, the Son of God, the only One Who can descend from heaven and ascend there again.  Verse five proclaims, Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  God's word is the truth, and we can put our faith in it and in Him.  Knowing this, as followers of Christ, we should always live by God's guidance.  Verse six says,  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.  We are not to attempt to make God's word say something that it doesn't, and we are certainly not to attempt to add to what His word says.  Verse seven states, Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:  Then verse eight continues, Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:  The two things required is that this person asks for are grace sufficient for his soul and to be neither too rich nor too poor, but to simply be fed, or have ones needs met.  Verse nine continues, Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.  If a people are too rich, they may question the need for God.  If people are too poor, they may steal and curse God, feeling that He has failed them.  Verse ten states, Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.  I believe that this means that we are not to falsely accuse someone to their master, or boss.  If we do, we are the one who will suffer when we are found guilty of doing this.  The next four verses speak of some of the sins of certain generations, which could really be any generation.  Verse eleven says, There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.  We begin with disrespecting parents.  Even if we feel that this is true today, so have many other generations.  It may be more true today, or it may be that their are just more people and better information sharing.  Verse twelve states, There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.  I believe that this would mean a generation that believes that whatever they declare to be the truth, and not God's laws, are what matter.  Though they may attempt to justify themselves, they are still filthy spiritually in God's eyes.  Verse thirty adds, There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.  I believe that this refers to the glorification of man's achievements above what God is capable of doing.  Verse fourteen concludes, There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.  This refers to an attempt to destroy the poor instead of having compassion for and helping them.  We in America really do not know the depths of poverty that exists in many countries, but even here we tend to demonize the poor.  We see them as taking too much of our riches from us, and we particularly look down on the poor of other countries attempting to come here.  Verse fifteen says, The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:  Then verse sixteen concludes, The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.  The first of the four things that will never be satisfied, or full, is the grave, or death.  People will continue to die until Christ returns.  The second is the barren womb.  I believe that this means that a woman who wants a child and cannot have one will always feel the desire to have one.  The third thing is draught.  When a draught comes, especially in certain parts of the world, people suffer, but droughts will continue to happen.  The fourth thing is uncontrolled fire.  Fire does not simply burn for awhile and then decide to stop.

Proverbs 29:15 says, The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.  I believe that this is another directive that parents are charged with teaching their children how to behave properly.  We cannot just leave them to do whatever makes them happy in the moment, but must teach them to do what is best for them, even if it is painful for them at the moment.  Verse sixteen states, When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.  When the wicked of the world, those who will not acknowledge God's authority over them, multiply, then transgressions, or sins, multiply.  Still, those who are righteous, or follow Christ, will one day see the fall of those who are wicked.  Verse seventeen says, Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.  When we teach our children to follow God's will in their lives, and they do so, they will be a delight unto our soul.  Verse eighteen declares, Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  As God's people, we should have a vision of what God expects of us and the world.  If we, as followers of Christ, lack a vision of what God wants the world to be, then those around us may perish in their sins.  Verse nineteen states, A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.  Matthew Henry says this means that some servants simply will never be corrected, no matter what is done to them.  Even if they understand what is being said to them, they will not answer by obeying.  Verse twenty asks, Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.  We, as followers of Christ, should always think before we speak.  We need to make sure that what we are saying is what God would have us say and what brings honor and glory to Him.  Verse twenty-one says, He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.  Servants who are treated fairly all their life can become as sons or daughters.  This is the way God treats all who will accept Christ as Savior and Lord.  Though we are but servants, we become God's children.  Verse twenty-two says, An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.  People who act out of anger tend to stir up strife, or cause problems.  Acting out of anger can cause a multitude of sins.  We are always to act out of love for others if we are following God's guidance.  Verse twenty-three declares, A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.  When people act out of self pride, they are putting themselves above God.  We as followers of Christ are to humbly serve Him so that He will get the glory and not us.  Verse twenty-four says, Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.  If we join with a thief in his or her actions, we are doing so at the risk of our soul, or everlasting relationship with God.  I do not believe that cursing means profanity, but means speaking against God.  Verse twenty-five states, The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.  We cannot put our faith in people or submit to them in fear when they are doing something against God's teachings, but we can find safety in following God's will.  Verse twenty six declares, Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.  We may seek to look good in the eyes of those who are in power in the world, but God is the ultimate judge, so it is He Whom we should be following.  Verse twenty-seven states, An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.  We should be honoring those who follow God's teachings if we are to be honorable people.  Righteousness or morality should matter.

Proverbs 29:1 says, He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.  People who will not be corrected, or listen to God's word, will one day suddenly find themselves without remedy, or a way to attain forgiveness.  Verse two says, When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.  Though this should be true, I am not sure that it always is.  Sometimes it seems that as long as those in power do what at least a large number of people want, then it doesn't matter if the leaders are righteous or not.  Of course, it could mean that when the leaders are righteous, then the righteous rejoice.  Verse three says, Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.  This is just another call for us to live by the wisdom of God if we are to bring joy to our earthly parents, if they themselves live by God's wisdom.  Verse four declares, The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.  This is a warning that just as honest rulers establish a country, dishonest rulers, those who take gifts or bribes to enrich themselves, can lead to the downfall of a country.  Verse five states, A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.  People who will say anything flattering to win the approval of their neighbor will ultimately prove to be a trap for them.  Those who use false praise to win our approval are only interested in what is best for them.  Verse six declares, In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.  Sin has its own trap, but if we follow the will of God we can rejoice in His presence.  If we follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we will never fall into sin's traps.  Verse seven says, The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.  Once more, we have a call to be concerned about the poor, if we are righteous, or followers of Christ.  Those who do not follow the leadership of God, usually have no concern for the poor.  Verse eight states, Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.  When those in power scorn God, they will ultimately lead a city, or country, into ruin.  If it doesn't happen before, it will happen at God's judgment day which is to come.  Verse nine says, If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.  There is no way to reason with a fool, someone who denies God, and find rest, or peace.  Verse ten declares, The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.  Those who do not believe in God tend to hate, or at least dislike, those who do.  Those who are just, or are followers of Christ, will want to lead people to His salvation and thereby save their souls.  Verse eleven states, A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.  Those who are foolish, or not guided by God's judgment, will say anything that comes to their mind no matter what.  Those guided by God, or the wise, will allow the Holy Spirit to direct their speech and will not utter foolish and hurtful things.  Verse twelve says, If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.  Those who rule by listening to lies will have servants, or those that they rule over, who are wicked.  Those who are ruled over will tend to take on the characteristics of those who rule them, especially if neither is following the leadership of God.  Verse thirteen declares, The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.  There will always be those who are poor and those who are rich through deceitfulness, and they will encounter each other in life.  Just being poor does not mean a person is following God's will, nor does being rich mean that a person is not.  God calls all, rich or poor, to come to Him out of love for them.  Verse fourteen states, The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.  Once again, the king, or ruler, who treats the poor with compassion and care will have his or her throne established forever.  I don't believe this means forever in this world.  Treating the poor with respect is a characteristic of those who follow God, and if those in power follow God, they will live forever in His kingdom.

Proverbs 28:15 says, As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.  A wicked ruler is just as dangerous to those that they rule over as a roaring lion or a ranging bear.  Verse sixteen states, The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.  Wanteth means lacking understanding.  Rulers who lack understanding will allow their coveteousness to influence their decisions.  They will do what is best for them and not what is best for those that they rule over.  Verse seventeen declares, A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.  This is a warning against murdering someone.  A murderer should pay for murdering someone, and we are not to help someone who commits murder get away with it.  Verse eighteen proclaims, Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.  We could interpret this to mean that we can be saved by our own goodness, or walking uprightly, but I believe that it means walking under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  If we do not accept Christ and follow God's guidance, we will certainly fall when judgment comes.  Verse nineteen says, He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.  We are to do honest work if we are to have enough bread to eat.  Following after the get rich schemes of others will only lead to our poverty.  Verse twenty states,  A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.  I believe that this is simply another way of saying that we should be honest in our dealings with others.  If we are, we will abound in the blessings of God.  Verse twenty-one declares,  To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.  We are to treat all people with fairness, no matter who they may be.  Our judgment or treatment of others should never be able to be bought.  Verse twenty-two states, He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.  This is another warning against get rich quick schemes, no matter how appealing they may seem.  Some people will seemingly do anything to get rich, and those riches will always be but temporary.  Verse twenty-three says, He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.  It is better for us to rebuke someone who is guilty of sin than it is for us to flatter them.   Even if people are rich and powerful that does not mean that we are to always to speak of them with admiration.  Of course, this applies to all people, no matter their status in life, but we tend to flatter the rich more than the poor.  Verse twenty-four warns, Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.  We cannot just take what belongs to our parents without their permission and claim that it is okay.  We hear too often about people stealing from or even abusing their parents, and this is never acceptable.  Verse twenty-five declares, He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.  Self-pride leads people to stir up strife, or create problems for those around them.  Those filled with self pride care only about what is best for them.  When we put our faith in God, we will be made fat spiritually, even if we are poor in the eyes of the world.  Verse twenty-six proclaims, He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.  If we are to walk with wisdom, we must follow God's leadership at all times.  If we attempt to rely on our own heart, or understanding, we will never prosper spiritually.  Verse twenty-seven says, He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.  Once more, we as followers of Christ are called on to help the poor.  We are never to just overlook them and pretend they don't exist.  Verse twenty-eight states, When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.  If wicked people are in power, those who follow God may be in danger.  In some parts of the world today, it is dangerous to openly declare oneself to be a Christian.  If these people fall out of power, then it is easier for those who follow God to prosper.  I cannot say when it is right for a Christian to hide their faith, but I am certain that God will let us know.

Proverbs 28:1 says, The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.  The wicked have a guilty conscience, making them think that someone is always after them.  Verse two states, For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.  The world is full of leaders who deny God, and the world suffers for it.  We, as followers of Christ, should be people of knowledge and understanding and stand up against the evil in the world.  Verse three declares, A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.  Poor people too often look down on other poor people.  Even if we are poor materially, as followers of Christ we are rich in His blessings and are called on to share with others as much as we can.  Verse four says, They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.  People who break the law tend to praise others who do so as well.  If we keep the law, especially God's law, we will always stand against evil, even if that evil is done under the pretence of following God's will.  Verse five states, Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.  As followers of Christ, we must understand that this judgment of God is coming, if not in this world, then in the everlasting world to come.  Evil people, those who deny God, also deny that judgment will one day come.  The only way that we can stand redeemed before God is by accepting Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  Verse six proclaims, Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.  We are better of poor and under the Lordship of Christ than we are rich in material things without a right relationship with God.  Our relationship with God is all that is everlasting.  Verse seven says, Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.  We can apply this to our earthly fathers, but it is especially true of our heavenly Father.  Obeying the law should always make our earthly father proud, but it will definitely make our heavenly Father proud of us.  Verse eight states, He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.  Matthew Henry says this means that those things gained by dishonest means will not last, and that at some point they may be used to help the poor.  This would mean someone who follows God's will who inherits things that have been attained through dishonest means should use those things to help the poor.  Verse nine declares, He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.  We cannot ignore the law, especially God's law, and then expect Him to hear our prayers.  If we expect God to hear our prayers, we must come to Him in honesty and humility.  Verse ten states, Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.  This is a warning against leading the righteous, those who follow God, astray.  If someone does this, that person is setting up their own fall.  Verse eleven says, The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.  Some people equate riches with being wise, but even the poor should realize that true wisdom comes only from God.  Verse twelve states, When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.   When the righteous, those who follow God, rule, a nation prospers for all the people.  This doesn't mean that the nation is rich materially necessarily, but that that there is peace and security in the land.  When the wicked rule, the righteous man is hidden.  Verse thirteen declares, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.  Even as followers of Christ, if we sin, we must still confess our sins to God.  We cannot just claim that they don't matter because we are already forgiven through the sacrifice of Christ.  Verse fourteen adds, Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.  Once more, this fear means having an awesome respect for God.  It is not to be a sometime thing, but a continual one.