Proverbs 31:4
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor, for dignitaries, to desire strong drink,
The Emphasised Bible by J. B. Rotherham
In The King James Version
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
In Context
3Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them who ruin kings.
5Lest he drink, and forget that which is decreed, and alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.
Cross References
Leviticus 10:9Wine and strong drink, thou mayest not drink,—thou nor thy sons with thee when ye enter into the tent of meeting, so shall ye not die,—an age-abiding statute to your generations;
1 Kings 20:12And it came to pass, when he heard this message, as, he, was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants—Make ready! So they made ready, against the city.
Esther 1:10On the seventh day, when merry was the heart of the king with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who were waiting before King Ahasuerus,—
Proverbs 20:1Wine is, a scoffer, and strong drink, a brawler, every one therefore who erreth therein, is unwise.
Ecclesiastes 10:17How happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles,—and, thy rulers, in season, do eat, for strength, and not for debauchery.
Isaiah 28:7But as for these, With wine, do they reel, and With strong drink, do they stagger,—Priest and prophet, reel with strong drink They are swallowed up through wine They stagger through strong drink, They reel in prophetic vision, They totter in pronouncing judgment.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 31:2-10
Maternal Counsels to King Lemuel. 1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto… Read the whole commentary →