It is the king’s responsibility to look out for the needs of the downtrodden and lowly, and this would not happen if a king’s mind is overtaken by a corrupt sex drive or by too much alcohol.
He might forget the law of God and the law of the land and act in a way that defrauds people of their rights. Proverbs 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.” Strong drink would impair his judgment, and it could lead to him to make terrible decisions without realizing what he was doing. Deuteronomy 17:17 says of the Israel’s king, “He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.” A king who wants to rule wisely needs also to avoid drunkenness and the lure of escaping reality with strong drink.
This would likely turn a man’s heart away as it did Solomon’s as the king became focused on sinful pleasure rather than upon the wisdom of God. His mother advised him to heed the commands of Scripture to stay away from all forms of sexual immorality (Ephesians 5:3) including the multiplying of wives, which was common practice among the kings of old. King Lemuel shares of the wisdom that his mother imparted to him concerning what makes a king rule with understanding and justice.
Or your ways to that which destroys kings.ĥ For they will drink and forget what is decreed,Īnd pervert the rights of all the afflicted.Ħ Give strong drink to him who is perishing,Īnd defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:
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