Proverbs 31:3

“Give not thy strength unto women, etc.] Strength of body, which is weakened by an excessive use of veneryf918 with a multiplicity of women; see, (<200509>Proverbs 5:9); and strength of mind, reason, and wisdom, which is impaired by conversation with such persons; whereby time is consumed and lost, which should be spent in the improvement of knowledge: or “thy riches”, as the Septuagint and Arabic versions, thy substance, which harlots devour, and who bring a man to a piece of bread, as the prodigal was, (<200626>Proverbs 6:26 <421530>Luke 15:30); and even drain the coffers of kings and princes; nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings; do not give thy mind to take such courses, and pursue…”

“Succinct but solemn warnings against vices to which kings are peculiarly tempted, as carnal pleasures and oppressive and unrighteous government are used to sustain sensual indulgence. strength--mental and bodily resources for health and comfort. thy ways--or course of life. to that . . . kings--literally, "to the destroying of kings," avoid destructive pleasures (compare Pro 5:9; Pro 7:22, Pro 7:27; Hos 4:11).”

“To that which destroyeth - The temptations of the harem were then, as now, the curse of all Eastern kingdoms. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Strength - The vigour of thy mind and body. Ways - Thy conversation, repeated in other words. Proverbs 31:4”

“strength: Pro 5:9-11, Pro 7:26, Pro 7:27; Hos 4:11 to that: Deu 17:17; Neh 13:26 Proverbs 31:4”

“The first admonition is a warning against effeminating sensuality: Give not thy strength to women, Nor thy ways to them that destroy kings. The punctuation למחות sees in this form a syncopated inf. Hiph. = להמחות (vid., at Pro 24:17), according to which we are to translate: viasque tuas ad perdendos reges (ne dirige), by which, as Fleischer formulates the twofold possibility, it may either be said: direct not thy effort to this result, to destroy neighbouring kings - viz. by wars of invasion (properly, to wipe them away from the table of existence, as the Arabs say) - or: do not that by which kings are overthrown; i.e., with special reference to Lemuel, act not so that thou thyself must…”