The words of Lemuel the king

It is possible there was in fact a king with this name, but the Sages interpreted the name Lemuel as a reference to King Solomon himself (see Rashi; Ibn Ezra; Sanhedrin 70b). Lemuel may be a nickname whose meaning is one who is associated with and goes to God (see Ralbag; Metzudat David; Rashi, verse 4), which is similar to the meaning of Solomon’s second name, Yedidya (see II Samuel 12:25), one who is close with God. If the following verses are indeed attributed to Solomon’s mother, then they are not a product of Solomon’s own wisdom, but ideas spoken to him. These words of rebuke address general topics that are appropriate to be discussed with every person individually, though it is not known that Solomon specifically drank wine and became inebriated on a frequent basis. Perhaps for this reason, the Sages stated that these words of rebuke were spoken in a particular context. It is related that on the day the construction of the Temple was completed, King Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh. As a result, he did not arise at the proper time in the morning. Everyone was awaiting his arrival, and his lateness delayed the Temple service. After this incident, Solomon’s mother rebuked him that it was because he was with his wife, or had drunk an excessive amount of wine, that he did not awaken (see Rashi; Bemidbar Rabba 10:4).