Proverbs 31:4
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It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
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Your rank dictates how much you should drink. The blessed LORD commends moderate use of wine and strong drink, but He strictly condemns drunkenness; and He warns all men in leadership positions to be careful even with drinking short of drunkenness. Rulers must have all their faculties alert and vigilant to execute their offices well (31:5).
These words are advice from a queen mother to her son, King Lemuel (31:1-2). Whether King Lemuel is Solomon and the queen mother is Bathsheba cannot be proven. But the words are inspired wisdom from God, and they were appended to Solomon's proverbs, for the advice they have about temptations facing kings - primarily women and wine.
Wine and strong drink are good, when used properly (Deut 14:26; Ps 104:14-15; Eccl 10:19). The queen mother includes proper uses of them in her warning (31:6-7). Wine is no more evil than food: the abuse of one is drunkenness, and the abuse of the other is gluttony; and both are sins in the sight of God. The relaxation and cheer from a moderate use of wine is a gift from God to men (Jdgs 9:13). Let God be true, but every man a liar!
A good king must rule fairly and justly at all times, therefore he must have all his wits at the ready (16:12; Lev 19:15; Deut 16:18-20; II Sam 23:3). Wine and strong drink, by the alcohol they contain, relax the central nervous system and can impair memory, reduce decision-making ability, and cloud moral judgment by dulling normal inhibitions (23:33). Rulers cannot allow this to occur, so they have stricter drinking limitations than others.
The text does not condemn all drinking for kings. Melchizedek and Jesus, both great kings and priests, drank wine (Gen 14:18; Matt 11:19). The warning is against kings drinking wine and strong drink with the same liberty as others. Due to their duties of ruling, they must practice greater temperance. Understand the sense of the words!
There are three levels of drinking wine in the New Testament. Church members could enjoy wine freely, but without drunkenness (Eph 5:18). Deacons were not to be given to much wine, and bishops were not to be given to wine (I Tim 3:3,8; Titus 1:7). Older women, teachers of young women, were restricted just like deacons (Titus 2:3). The word "given" means these leaders could not be addicted or prone to the specified amounts.
Let every man consider his rank, and let him rule his drinking accordingly. Wise men, even simple husbands and fathers, will not allow wine to compromise their example and role in the home. As saints we are to be sober and vigilant, so let every man take heed.
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