Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 31:1

"The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him." — Proverbs 31:1 (ASV)

APPENDIX (b).

The words of king Lemuel...—More probably this should be translated, "The words of Lemuel, king of Massâ". (See above on Proverbs 30:1.) "Lemuel," which most likely signifies (dedicated) "to God," has been, like Agur, supposed to be a designation of Solomon, but with no good reason.

The prophecy that his mother taught him—Mothers were looked upon with great veneration in the East. (Proverbs 6:20.) The mothers of kings especially were treated with marked respect, receiving the title of "queen-mother". (Compare 1 Kings 2:19; 1 Kings 15:13.) This seems to be the reason why the mothers of Jewish kings are so constantly mentioned, e.g., 1 Kings 14:31; 1 Kings 15:2; 2 Kings 12:1. At the present time the mother of the Khedive ranks before his principal wife.