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1 Kings 20:11

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1 Kings 20:11 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”

King James Version KJV

And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

American Standard Version ASV

And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his armor boast himself as he that putteth it off.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the king of Israel said in answer, Say to him, The time for loud talk is not when a man is putting on his arms, but when he is taking them off.

Free Bible Version FBV

The king of Israel replied, “Tell him this: A man putting on his armor should not brag like one who is taking it off.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And the King of Israel answered, and sayd, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth his harneis, boast himselfe, as he that putteth it off.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the king of Israel answereth and saith, 'Speak ye: let not him who is girding on boast himself as him who is loosing [his armour].'

World English Bible WEB

The king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Don’t let him who puts on his armor brag like he who takes it off.’”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him , Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the king of Israel answering, said: Tell him: Let not the girded boast himself as the ungirded.

Translation for Translators T4T

King Ahab replied to the messengers, “Tell King Ben-Hadad that a soldier who is putting on his armor preparing to fight a battle [MTY] should not boast at that time; he should wait until after he wins the battle.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 20:11

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Kings 20:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יַּ֤עַן מֶֽלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר דַּבְּר֔וּ אַל יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל חֹגֵ֖ר כִּ/מְפַתֵּֽחַ
וַ/יַּ֤עַן ʻânâh H6030 to dwell Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מֶֽלֶךְ melek H4428 King's N-ms
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דַּבְּר֔וּ dâbar H1696 to speak V-Piel-Impv-2mp
אַל ʼal H408 not Part
יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל hâlal H1984 to shine V-Hithpael-Juss-3ms
חֹגֵ֖ר châgar H2296 to gird V-Qal
כִּ/מְפַתֵּֽחַ pâthach H6605 to open Prep | V-Piel
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 20:11

וַ/יַּ֤עַן ʻânâh H6030 "to dwell" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
מֶֽלֶךְ melek H4428 "King's" N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
דַּבְּר֔וּ dâbar H1696 "to speak" V-Piel-Impv-2mp
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
אַל ʼal H408 "not" Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל hâlal H1984 "to shine" V-Hithpael-Juss-3ms
To be foolish means to act wildly or make a show, like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29. It can also mean to celebrate or boast, as in Psalm 38:5.
Definition: 1) to shine 1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour) 1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine. See also: Genesis 12:15; Psalms 113:1; Psalms 5:6.
חֹגֵ֖ר châgar H2296 "to gird" V-Qal
The Hebrew word chagar means to gird or put on a belt, and is used to describe preparing for battle or work, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to gird, gird on, gird oneself, put on a belt 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to gird 1a2) to gird on, bind on 1a3) to gird oneself
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: be able to put on, be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, [idiom] on every side. See also: Exodus 12:11; 2 Kings 3:21; Psalms 45:4.
כִּ/מְפַתֵּֽחַ pâthach H6605 "to open" Prep | V-Piel
This verb means to engrave or carve, and is used in Exodus to describe the intricate carvings on the furniture of the tabernacle.
Definition: 1) to open 1a) (Qal) to open 1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to free 1c2) to loosen 1c3) to open, open oneself 1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent. See also: Genesis 7:11; Psalms 39:10; Psalms 5:10.

Study Notes — 1 Kings 20:11

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
2 Isaiah 10:15–16 Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood! Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame.
3 1 Samuel 17:44–47 “Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”
4 Ecclesiastes 9:11 I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.
5 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
6 Matthew 26:33–35 Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.
7 1 Samuel 14:12–13 So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.
8 Matthew 26:75 Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

1 Kings 20:11 Summary

This verse means that we should not brag or celebrate before we have actually achieved something, because it is not yet certain that we will succeed. Ahab is warning Ben-hadad not to count his victories before they are achieved, and this principle can be applied to our own lives as well, as seen in Proverbs 16:18. We should approach challenges and opportunities with humility and caution, recognizing that our accomplishments are not solely our own, but are often the result of God's grace and providence, as seen in 1 Corinthians 4:7. By doing so, we can cultivate a more humble and confident approach to life, and trust in God's sovereignty, as declared in Romans 11:36.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of the phrase 'the one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off' in 1 Kings 20:11?

This phrase means that one should not boast or brag about a victory before it has been achieved, as Ahab is cautioning Ben-hadad not to celebrate prematurely, similar to the warning in Proverbs 27:1 to not boast about tomorrow since we do not know what it will bring.

Why is Ahab responding to Ben-hadad in this way?

Ahab is responding to Ben-hadad's arrogant and boastful message, as seen in 1 Kings 20:10, with a message of caution and humility, reminding him that the battle is not yet won and that he should not count his victories before they are achieved, as warned in James 4:13-16.

What is the significance of Ahab's response in the context of the larger story?

Ahab's response shows that despite his flaws and shortcomings, he is able to exercise wisdom and humility in the face of arrogance and aggression, and it sets the stage for the events that will unfold in the rest of the chapter, including the prophetic declaration in 1 Kings 20:13.

How can we apply the principle in 1 Kings 20:11 to our own lives?

We can apply this principle by being mindful of our own pride and arrogance, and by recognizing that our accomplishments and victories are not solely our own, but are often the result of God's grace and providence, as seen in 1 Corinthians 4:7.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways do I tend to 'boast like one taking off my armor' in my own life, and how can I cultivate a more humble and cautious approach to challenges and opportunities?
  2. How can I balance confidence and humility in my own life and decisions, and what role does faith play in this balance, as seen in Hebrews 11:1-3?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I am prone to 'counting my victories before they are achieved', and how can I apply the principle from 1 Kings 20:11 to these areas, with the help of Psalm 37:3-7?
  4. In what ways can I use the story of Ahab and Ben-hadad to inform my own relationships and interactions with others, particularly in situations where there may be conflict or competition, as warned in Galatians 5:26?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 20:11

Ver. 11 And the king of Israel answered and said,.... Very mildly and very wisely: tell him, let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off; that is, he that prepares

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 20:11

And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:11

Do not triumph before the fight and victory, for the events of war are uncertain.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:11

1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell [him], Let not him that girdeth on [his harness] boast himself as he that putteth it off.Ver. 11. Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast, &c.] Ne glorietur accinctus quasi discinctus. It is no wisdom to triumph before the victory, and to sell the hide before the beast is taken; as did Xerxes in his expedition against Greece; the Pompeians before the Pharsalian field was fought; the French at the battle of Agincourt; the Spaniards in 1588, with their invincible Armada, as they called it, but falsely and foolishly. It had been three years a-rigging; and triumphant poems were beforehand printed by Don Bernardine Mendoza, the Spanish ambassador in France, concerning the good success thereof. But what was the issue? the Armada was defeated and dispersed, God from heaven fighting against them, not a hundred English lacking, and but one small ship lost, &c. Exitus belli incertus. When Francis I, king of France, was busily consulting with his captains how to lead his army over the Alps into Italy, whether this way or that way, Amaril, his fool, sprang out of a corner where he sat unseen, and bade them rather take care which way they should bring their army out of Italy back again. Camden’ s Elisab.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:11

Verse 11. Let not him that girdeth on] This was no doubt a proverbial mode of expression. Jonathan translates, "Tell him, Let not him who girds himself and goes down to the battle, boast as he who has conquered and returned from it."

Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 20:11

11. Tell him, &c.] For this the LXX. gives “Let it suffice: let not the crooked boast himself as the straight.” The latter portion is an attempt (but not very successful) to supply the place of one proverbial saying by another. We convey somewhat of a like sense by ‘Praise not the day till the evening.’ For the somewhat antiquated ‘harness’ the R.V. substitutes armour.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 20:11

Ahab’s reply has the air of a proverb, with which Orientals always love to answer a foe.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:11

11. Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast — This is a proverb whose force and aptness in this case was clear.

Sermons on 1 Kings 20:11

SermonDescription
Jim Cymbala Choices for Life - Tim Wiesner Talks With Jim Cymbala - Part 2 by Jim Cymbala In this sermon, Pastor Jim Symbola of the Brooklyn Tabernacle emphasizes the importance of preaching the gospel in a time when people are realizing the uncertainty of tomorrow. He
Rolfe Barnard God's Bloodhound by Rolfe Barnard In this sermon, the speaker discusses their plan to distribute 50 sets of 70-hour tapes throughout America to help train young preachers. They express gratitude for the person fina
John Piper (Education for Exultation) if the Lord Wills by John Piper In this sermon, Pastor John Piper focuses on James 4:13-16 and the importance of humbling ourselves under the sovereignty of God. He addresses the issue of making plans without con
J. Vernon McGee What Do You Do With Your Future by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher uses various metaphors to describe the fleeting nature of life. He compares life to a mess on a hillside, grass in a valley, the flight of a bird, and
Ian Paisley Hell by Ian Paisley In this sermon, the preacher describes the death of a soul who did not heed the warning of the trumpet. The sermon references the book of Ecclesiastes, specifically chapter 8 verse
Alan Cairns Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 8 by Alan Cairns This sermon emphasizes the urgency of heeding the warning about the reality of hell and the importance of turning to Christ for salvation. It calls for repentance, confession of si
Harry Ironside Boast Not Thyself by Harry Ironside In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not procrastinating when it comes to accepting the gospel and becoming a Christian. He warns that many people in a land wh
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