Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 31:4

"It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes [to say], Where is strong drink?" — Proverbs 31:4 (ASV)

It is not for kings to drink wine. —Another of the temptations of kings. (Compare to 1 Kings 16:9; 1 Kings 20:16; Ecclesiastes 10:17.) Perversion of justice as the result of revelry is also noted by Isaiah (Isaiah 5:22–23). Compare to St. Paul’s advice to use this world so as not abusing, or rather using it to the full (1 Corinthians 7:31).