* Ben-hadad.
11,12 16:7 Pr 23:29-32 Ec 10:16,17 Ho 4:11
* the thirty.
Isa 54:15
The Syrians, the besiegers, had their directions from a
drunken king, who gave orders over his cups, while he was
drinking at noon. Drunkenness is a sin which is most
detestable in all, but more so in a king than in a private
individual, inasmuch as the greater weight a man's situation
carries, whether from accumulated riches, family connections,
hereditary authority, or invested command, so is the influence
which his vices must have on those around him. Perhaps it may
be said, from past experience, that drunkenness, which is a
most heinous sin in the sight of God, may be charged on those
who indulge only now and then in that which may eventually
lead them into drunkenness; for they shut their eyes against
the most palpable facts, and rather than give up the paltry
gratification of a debauch, involve thousands by their example
to positive harm. Benhadad's drunkenness was the forerunner
of his fall. Belshazzar also, we read, drank wine with his
princes, his wives, and his concubines, and praised the gods
of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone: and in the
same hour came forth the finger of a man's hand and wrote his
doom on the plaster of the wall. Those who fancy themselves
perfectly secure, and above the possibility of falling, are
commonly nearest their destruction: there is always an Ahab
read to take advantage of and improve the self-imposed
imbecility.
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