Proverbs 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

The twelfth characteristic of virtue Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry is that she is confident and does not allow fear to control her. The virtuous woman is similar to the ant described in Proverbs 6 that prepared ahead of time for the winter. One can properly prepare for winter but still fear the inclement weather. However, one who has the inner strength of virtue in their life will be confident in their preparations and will not allow themselves to be sitting around worrying about whether they should have done more to properly prepare.

Proverbs 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

The eleventh characteristic of virtue Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry was how she treated the poor. Solomon was instructed to look for a woman who did not shun the poor but instead, one who was willing to help take care of the needs of the poor. She could not be a respecter of persons, but instead, must be willing to use her abundance to help those who are less fortunate.

It is easy to be friendly to the lovely. It is easy to be hospitable to those who can return the favor. However, it takes a completely different mindset in order to provide for the needs of the poor knowing full well that they will probably never return the favor. Christ told you that �Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.�

Proverbs 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

The tenth characteristic of virtue Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry was that she demonstrates a humble spirit in that no work was below her station in life. Several commentators on the Bible indicate that at this time in Jewish history it was the servant�s job to work with the spindle and distaff. However, the virtuous woman that Solomon was to look for would be a woman who was not only willing to work with her hands but that no job was too lowly for her and that by her example, she would teach her servants diligent working habits. The virtuous woman that Solomon was looking for not only was willing to work, but she was capable of working many different trades and thus was able to help wherever the need arose.

Proverbs 31:18b her candle goeth not out by night.

The ninth characteristic that Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry was that she demonstrated her virtue by always being prepared. Jesus once told the story of ten virgins, five who were wise and five who were foolish. The five wise virgins took oil in their lamps and were prepared for the hour in which the bridegroom came whereas the foolish virgins were not prepared and thus were not permitted to take part in the marriage ceremony that took place that night.

Solomon was looking for a person who took the time to prepare her life to be ready for whatever God brought her way. She was not going to be caught unawares. Solomon did not want to marry a person who did not plan a head, an individual who allowed herself to get into bigger problems because she did not foresee simple delays or hindrances.

Proverbs 31:18a She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:

The eighth characteristic of virtue that Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry was that the work of her hands be quality. You do not have to look far to find an individual who does the minimal amount of work in order to get by. However, when Solomon was looking for a spouse, he was to look for a woman who was diligent in her work, a woman who took pride in what she did and who did not cut corners.

Because you serve a living God, you understand that you are accountable to HIM for every thought, action and deed. When you add virtue to your life, you are now thinking upon the things of God which means that when you are working, you should have a desire to do the best that you can because you understand that God is being reflected to the world through you.

Proverbs 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

The seventh characteristic of virtue that Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry was that she exercised in order to keep in shape. You understand that Paul wrote in I Timothy 4:8 that �bodily exercise profiteth little�. One who exercises is taking care of their body so that it will remain healthy longer. Solomon was not looking for a woman who all she did was exercise because then she would not have the time to demonstrate all the other characteristics that he was looking for in his future wife. In addition, he was also not looking for a woman who allowed her body and health to deteriorate simply because she was too busy doing everything else. Solomon was to look for a woman who cared enough about her health and future that she took the time to keep in shape.

Proverbs 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

The sixth manifestation of virtue that Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry is that she be a visionary. Solomon was to look for a woman who did not sit around and do nothing with her time and resources but instead he was to look for a woman who was proactive with her life to better herself as she waited for her future husband to find her. Solomon was instructed to look for a woman who was neither lazy nor idle but to seek a woman who actively fulfilling a vision.

Proverb 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

The fifth manifestation of virtue that Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry was diligence. Solomon was instructed to examine the evidences of a young ladies life to ensure that her life demonstrated that she was virtuous. The virtuous woman will demonstrate a desire to serve rather then be served. The virtuous woman will demonstrate a desire to be productive rather then be lazy.

This virtuous woman that Solomon was to look for could have stayed in bed and allowed her maidens to give her meat. However, Solomon was to look for the woman who demonstrated virtue through her actions of being diligent. Her actions needed to demonstrate that she was not a sluggard but a diligent woman. Solomon was not just looking for a wife, but he was looking for a helpmate, a helpmate who could assist him in fulfilling God�s calling for his life. If she demonstrated a desire to work, serve, and to stay busy, then those characteristics probably would not change and Solomon would have found someone who would make a good spouse.

Proverbs 31:14 She is like the merchants� ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

The fourth characteristic of virtue that Solomon was to look for in a wife is the quality of not being self-centered. A merchant ship did not sit around in the harbor doing nothing. Instead, a merchant ship was sent to foreign lands where it bartered for goods that were needed back home. The merchant ship was not sent once there was a need, but it is the goal of the merchant ship to provide substance before the need arose.

A merchant ship went to foreign ports not for its own benefit but for the benefit of others. A merchant ship risked its very existence by going out into the open seas where a storm could destroy it, its crew and its cargo. Yet the merchant ship is not looking out for itself but instead is looking out for the needs of others. The purpose of the merchant ship is to supply for the needs of others.

Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

The third characteristic that Solomon was to look for in a wife that would help reveal her virtue was her work habits. Solomon was instructed to look for a bride who not only understood how to work but actually enjoyed working. Solomon was to look for a bride who was diligent, one who had a desire to ensure that her life was productive. If Solomon�s bride was not a productive member of society prior to their marriage, then what makes him think that she would be in a position to help him fulfill his purpose in life? If she is unwilling to do any manual labor now, why should he think that she would be willing to do manual labor once they were married?

Proverbs 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

The second characteristic of virtue that Solomon had been instructed to look for in a wife is the characteristic of goodness. Solomon was instructed that he was to look for a wife who looked to do good things for him and not evil. This seems like a rather basic concept in that one should marry an individual who does not treat you wrongly. Nonetheless, throughout the world today, there are many individuals who allow the falling in love experience to cloud their judgment causing them to overlook major character flaws.

Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

What are some of the inner qualities of virtue? The very first one that is mentioned in this list of qualities is trust. Webster�s 1828 dictionary defines trust as �Confidence, a reliance or resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship or other sound principle of another person.� Solomon was advised from his youth that when he chose a spouse, he must choose a spouse who he could trust. If he did not have confidence in her integrity, then how could he expect to have an oneness of spirit with his wife?

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.

The Hebrew word for virtuous found in this passage has a similar meaning to the Greek word for virtue that is found in II Peter 1:5. According to Strongs, the definition of virtue as found in II Peter is virtue, manliness (valor), excellence, and praise. According to Strongs, the definition of virtue as used in Proverbs is virtue, valor, strength and valiant. However, the word is also used in the Hebrew to mean a force, war, an army, power, riches and substance.

In this passage, you see a list of items that a man should be looking for in his wife. You are told that a woman who demonstrates that she has virtue in her life is extremely valuable. It is debated among scholars who actually wrote this passage but one of the more credible explanations is that these were the words of Bath-sheba to her son giving him guidance in looking for his wife.