(8) In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years. (9) And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah. (10) And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.
This is the famous, or rather infamous Zimri, concerning whom it almost became a proverb in Israel. Had Zimri peace who slew his master? 2 Kings 9:31. What a solemn lesson is here read to drunkards in the sudden death of Elah! Reader! what an awful thought is it to meditate on the multitudes that are going out of life daily from the effect of this one detestable vice; some by sudden, and some by lingering consequences! and what can charity itself plead in apology for such conduct, which sinks men into the brute, and in itself, if the word of God had not so decidedly spoken upon the subject, proves a total disqualification for all the pure joys of heaven. Oh! that Paul's words were put up in golden letters in all the haunts of drunkenness in the kingdom. Know ye not that drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.