Devotional

A Mother's Wisdom: The Priceless Value of a Virtuous Woman

4 min read

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

  • Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)

In the treasure trove of biblical wisdom, few passages shine as brilliantly as Proverbs 31. Yet what makes this chapter particularly fascinating is not just its beautiful portrayal of the virtuous woman, but the context in which it was given: a mother’s counsel to her son about the kind of wife he should seek.

A Mother’s Heart, A King’s Instruction

The words of Proverbs 31 come to us through King Solomon, but they originate from a source much closer to his heart: his mother, Bathsheba. As we read in the opening verse:

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

  • Proverbs 31:1 (KJV)

Here we see something remarkable: the wisest king in Israel’s history receiving marriage counsel from his mother. Bathsheba, having experienced both the consequences of broken relationships and the blessings of redemption, speaks with hard-won wisdom about the kind of woman her son should value.

Understanding Value Through a Man’s Language

What strikes me as particularly insightful is how Bathsheba frames her instruction. She doesn’t simply tell Solomon to find a “good woman” or a “nice woman.” Instead, she uses language that a man, especially a king surrounded by vast wealth, would immediately understand: economic value.

Her price is far above rubies.

Solomon possessed unimaginable riches. The Bible tells us:

Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,

  • 1 Kings 10:14 (KJV)

His throne was made of ivory and overlaid with gold, and silver was considered as nothing in his days because of his abundance (1 Kings 10:18-21). Yet his mother tells him that a virtuous woman would be worth more than all of it: more valuable than the finest rubies in his treasury.

The Wisdom of Comparative Value

Bathsheba’s choice of rubies is no accident. In ancient times, rubies were among the most precious stones, often more valuable than diamonds. By using this comparison, she accomplishes several things:

  1. She speaks his language - As a king dealing daily with treasures and trade, Solomon understood the concept of rare and precious commodities.
  2. She establishes rarity - The question “Who can find…?” implies that such women are not common.
  3. She emphasizes lasting value - Unlike temporary pleasures or fleeting beauty, virtue appreciates over time.

The Heart of Virtue

But what exactly makes a woman “virtuous”? The word is from virtue, which means strength, capability, or valor. It’s the same word used to describe mighty men of war (1 Chronicles 12:25), suggesting that virtue involves both moral excellence and practical competence.

As the chapter unfolds, we see this virtue displayed in:

  • Trustworthiness: “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her” (Proverbs 31:11)
  • Industry: “She worketh willingly with her hands” (Proverbs 31:13)
  • Wisdom: “She openeth her mouth with wisdom” (Proverbs 31:26)
  • Fear of the Lord: “A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30)

A Message for Today’s Husbands

This passage, while often applied broadly, is fundamentally addressed to men: specifically to husbands and future husbands. Bathsheba’s wisdom calls men to:

Recognize true value - In a world obsessed with external beauty and temporary attractions, this passage calls men to see deeper worth.

Understand rarity - A woman of genuine virtue is not easily found. Such a woman deserves to be pursued with intention and treasured once found.

Invest wisely - Just as Solomon would carefully evaluate precious gems, men should thoughtfully consider the character of a potential wife.

The Ultimate Investment

In the end, Bathsheba’s counsel to her son transcends mere marriage advice. She’s teaching him, and us, about the difference between what the world values and what God values. Physical beauty fades, wealth can be lost, but virtue endures.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

  • Proverbs 31:30 (KJV)

For the man who finds such a woman, he has indeed found a treasure more valuable than all the rubies in Solomon’s kingdom. And perhaps more importantly, he has found what his Heavenly Father considers truly precious: a heart that fears the Lord and walks in His ways.

May we all, whether seeking or found, value what God values and treasure what He considers precious. For in doing so, we align our hearts with His and find the riches that truly matter.