Q: #575. Who got drunk in the Bible?
A: Last night, a lady at one of the Bible studies I teach was doing a study, and said, “Twenty men got drunk in the Bible.” Of course, my immediate thought was, “Who were these men?” So, I had to do a quick study on this.
Previously, I have written a study called, “Can a Christian drink alcohol / wine and beer?” In that study, I go into great detail about why I believe Christians should strongly consider not drinking alcohol at all. However, whether you believe drinking alcohol is okay, or not, the Bible clearly tells us that getting “drunk” is sinful: (1 Cor 6:9-10)(Eph 5:18-21)(Rom 13:13)(Gal 5:19-21)(1 Cor 5:11)(Hab 2:15)(1 Pet 4:3). In that study, I listed “some” of the men who sinned by breaking God’s command not to get drunk. This study will be a complete list of all that I have found. Here we go!
Noah (Gen 9:20-24)
Lot (Gen 19:32-38)
***Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:1-10) (warning in 10:9-10 implies the possibility)
***Gaal (and his brothers) (Judg 9:26-27)
The Philistines (Judg 16:25)
Nabal (1 Sam 25:36)
Uriah (2 Sam 11:13)
Ammon (2 Sam 13:28-29)
King Elah (1 Kin 16:8-10)
King Ben-Hadad (and the 32 kings helping him) (1 Kin 20:16-21)
King Ahasuerus (Es 1:10-12)
King Belshazzar (and others) (Dan 5:1-5)
The Corinthian Church (1 Cor 11:21-22)
***Possibly / Unclear
It is worth noting that in each of these instances, something “bad” occurred in conjunction with these men (and some women?) getting drunk. People would be wise to keep this in mind for today too.
(Prov 23:29-35)(NKJV) “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? (30) Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. (31) Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; (32) At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. (33) Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. (34) Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: (35) “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?””