Who was King Lemuel in the Bible?

TL;DR:

King Lemuel is only mentioned in Proverbs 31. King Lemuel is warned about chastity, justice, mercy, and temperance.

King Lemuel is mentioned only in Proverbs 31, where his mother imparts advice on chastity, justice, mercy, and temperance. Though nothing else is known about him in the Bible, this advice might extend to the end of the book, which is fitting as it talks about the kind of woman he was to find. If Lemuel is Solomon, his mother's counsel on finding a virtuous wife aligns with Solomon's struggles with multiple wives. The passage emphasizes wise leadership, defending the oppressed, and warns against indulgence. It highlights the importance of integrity and compassion in leadership and personal conduct.

from the old testament

King Lemuel is referred to only once in the Bible, in Proverbs 31. The chapter begins: "The words of King Lemuel. An oracle his mother taught him" (v. 1).
The advice that follows is an exhortation to chastity, justice, mercy, and temperance. It appears to end with verse 9, but it might continue through the end of the book.
Nothing else is found in the Bible about King Lemuel, aside from the two mentions in the beginning of Proverbs 31 (verses 1 and 4).

from the new testament

King Lemuel is not mentioned in the New Testament.

implications for today

If Lemuel is indeed Solomon, and considering that Solomon had numerous wives and concubines, it is fitting that his mother would give him advice about women and how to find a virtuous wife. Verses 10–31 of the proverb list the attributes and character qualities of the kind of wife who would be an asset to any man, but especially to a king who needs wisdom in the choice of one who would influence him.

If the mother in this proverb is Bathsheba, she had first-hand knowledge of the danger that multiple wives can be for a ruler. First Kings 11 describes the sad result of Solomon ignoring his mother's advice. Despite God's warnings not to take wives from foreign nations, Solomon did exactly that, and his wives turned his heart away from God (1 Kings 11:1–13).

Regardless, the advice given to King Lemuel, as recorded in Proverbs 31:1–9, emphasizes the importance of wise leadership and justice. He is urged to uphold justice for the oppressed, defend the rights of the poor and needy, and to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Lemuel's mother advises him against indulgence in excess, particularly warning against the dangers of alcohol and unwise women, which can cloud judgment.

understand

King Lemuel is only mentioned in Proverbs 31.
Many people think King Lemuel is King Solomon.
In Proverbs 31, King Lemuel is warned about chastity, justice, mercy, and temperance.

reflect

How might you apply the advice given to King Lemuel regarding chastity, justice, mercy, and temperance to your own life?
Reflecting on the qualities of the virtuous wife described in Proverbs 31, what characteristics do you value most in a wife or in yourself if you are a woman?
In what ways do you think the advice given to King Lemuel about wise leadership and personal conduct can be relevant to leaders today, whether in a position of authority or influence?

engage

Jewish legend identifies Lemuel as Solomon, here taking advice from his mother Bathsheba, but there is no clear evidence for that.
The name Lemuel means "belonging to God" in Hebrew. Because he is identified as "King," we can assume that Lemuel ruled over something or someone, but we don't know if it was Israel or Judah or any other province. Lemuel is not found in any listing of the kings of Israel, particularly during the time of the writing of Proverbs. That seems to add credence to the idea that Lemuel is another name for King Solomon.
The passage warns against indulgence and advises on the importance of justice and compassion. How do are these principles reflected in our society today?