Topical Bible: King: Drunkenness of, Forbidden

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The Bible provides clear guidance on the behavior expected of a king, particularly concerning the consumption of alcohol and the dangers of drunkenness. The role of a king, as a leader and judge, demands sobriety and wisdom, qualities that are compromised by intoxication.

Proverbs 31:4-5 offers direct counsel regarding kings and alcohol: "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of justice." This passage underscores the potential for alcohol to impair judgment and lead to injustice, highlighting the responsibility of a king to remain clear-headed and just.

The narrative of King Belshazzar in the Book of Daniel serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of drunkenness for a ruler. During a great feast, Belshazzar, king of Babylon, drank wine with his nobles, wives, and concubines, using the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple. This act of sacrilege, performed in a state of drunkenness, led to the writing on the wall and the subsequent fall of his kingdom (Daniel 5:1-31). This account illustrates the moral and spiritual dangers associated with a king's indulgence in alcohol.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul advises against drunkenness in general, which can be applied to all believers, including those in leadership. Ephesians 5:18 states, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This exhortation emphasizes the importance of self-control and spiritual discernment, qualities essential for anyone in a position of authority.

The Bible also provides examples of kings who failed due to their indulgence in alcohol. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), as depicted in the Book of Esther, held a lavish banquet where excessive drinking led to poor decision-making, including the dismissal of Queen Vashti (Esther 1:10-22). This incident reflects the potential for alcohol to cloud judgment and lead to regrettable actions.

In summary, the biblical perspective on kings and drunkenness is clear: rulers are to abstain from excessive drinking to maintain justice, wisdom, and moral integrity. The scriptures consistently warn against the dangers of alcohol, particularly for those in positions of leadership, where the consequences of impaired judgment can be far-reaching and detrimental to the well-being of their subjects.

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Proverbs 31:4,5
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
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Library

The Heinous Sin of Drunkenness
... but when Adam had tasted the forbidden fruit, which ... Thirdly, What renders drunkenness
more inexcusable, is, that it ... said, "How glorious was the king of Israel ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of drunkenness.htm

The King James Version --Its Influence on English and American ...
... were put under the ban and forbidden to worship. ... Recommended by the king, translated
by the Bishops, yet in ... The two reigning vices were drunkenness and swearing ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture v the king james.htm

The City of God
... God, private sacrifices, as well as public, were forbidden. ... Julian was attacked by
a kind of drunkenness. ... Plutarch relates that Philip, King of Macedonia, when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the city of god.htm

From the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment
... of the little Infant Jesus, whom the king's officers were ... Commandment, for besides
his sin of drunkenness, he is ... For example, a boy is forbidden to smoke, and ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 33 from the fourth.htm

Here Beginneth the Story of Judith
... Forsooth Nebuchadnezzar is the living king of the earth, and ... take such holy things
as be forbidden in their ... lay and slept in overmuch drunkenness, Judith said ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the story of.htm

Mongrel Religion
... adapted at his expense for purposes of vice and drunkenness. ... The king of Assyria
sent them a priest: he ... of symbols; and this the Lord had expressly forbidden. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/mongrel religion.htm

1 Timothy i. 15, 16
... What means then, "To the King immortal, invisible, the ... or fornication, who avoids
gluttony and drunkenness, who does ... For such embellishment is not forbidden. ...
/.../homily iv 1 timothy i.htm

The Heinous Sin of Profane Cursing and Swearing
... for it is the city of the great King; neither shalt ... had so little reason to eat the
forbidden fruit, and ... It was some excuse for the drunkenness of Noah, and ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of profane.htm

The Seventh Commandment
... This is to love forbidden fruit, to love to drink ... The concubine of King Edward III,
when he was dying ... When gluttony and drunkenness lead the van, chambering and ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 7 the seventh commandment.htm

Of a Private Fast.
... Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit ... Lot quenched the flame of Sodom,
whom drunkenness scorched with ... hadad, because he heard that the king of Israel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of a private fast.htm