Qualities of a righteous king
Qualities of a righteous king
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:2 to 9).
A king should lead a highly moral life and should not drink wine or strong drink. The drunken king may pervert the judgment of the afflicted. However, wine can be given to those who are of heavy hearts so that they may forget their pain or afflictions. It can be used as a medicine to those who are on the death bed or who undergo severe pain or poverty so that the afflicted person may not feel the pangs of death or poverty.
A ruler should open his mouth for the dumb (those who cannot fight for their own causes legally due to lack of money or talent) in the cause of all those who are prosecuted under the law for punishment. The ruler should appear as a defence lawyer and open his mouth, judge righteously and plead the cause of the poor and needy before a judge.