King Ahab answered, "Tell King Benhadad that a real soldier does his bragging after a battle, not before it."

Benhadad received Ahab's answer as he and his allies, the other rulers, were drinking in their tents. He ordered his men to get ready to attack the city, and so they moved into position.

That message from the LORD against Baasha and his family was given by the prophet Jehu because of the sins that Baasha committed against the LORD. He aroused the LORD's anger not only because of the evil he did, just as King Jeroboam had done before him, but also because he killed all of Jeroboam's family.

Show me people who drink too much, who have to try out fancy drinks, and I will show you people who are miserable and sorry for themselves, always causing trouble and always complaining. Their eyes are bloodshot, and they have bruises that could have been avoided.

Don't let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, and it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly.

A country is in trouble when its king is a youth and its leaders feast all night long.

But a country is fortunate to have a king who makes his own decisions and leaders who eat at the proper time, who control themselves and don't get drunk.

The LORD says, "Wine, both old and new, is robbing my people of their senses!

Whoever attacks you, does it without my consent; whoever fights against you will fall.