1 Kings 20 11

1 Kings 20:11 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.

1 Kings 20:11 nkjv

So the king of Israel answered and said, "Tell him, 'Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.' "

1 Kings 20:11 niv

The king of Israel answered, "Tell him: 'One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.'?"

1 Kings 20:11 esv

And the king of Israel answered, "Tell him, 'Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.'"

1 Kings 20:11 nlt

The king of Israel sent back this answer: "A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won."

1 Kings 20 verses

1 Kings 20 11 Meaning

King Ahab's proverbial reply to Ben-Hadad conveys a timeless truth: one should not boast about victory before the conflict is engaged and definitively concluded. It cautions against premature celebration and overconfidence, asserting that the true victor is known only after the struggle has ended and success has been attained, not when one is merely preparing for battle. The metaphor draws from the warrior's experience of buckling on armor before the fight versus removing it in triumph after securing victory.

1 Kings 20 11 Context

1 Kings chapter 20 recounts the Aramean king Ben-Hadad's siege of Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel under King Ahab. Ben-Hadad, confident in his overwhelming numerical superiority, sent an arrogant message demanding tribute, including Ahab's silver, gold, wives, and children. Ahab initially agreed, seeking peace. However, Ben-Hadad then escalated his demands, intending to send his servants to loot everything valuable. This second, highly insulting demand prompted Ahab to consult with his elders, who advised against compliance. Ben-Hadad then issued a direct threat to destroy Samaria utterly, stating his army was so vast that its soldiers could carry away the city's dust in handfuls. It is in response to this particular boast that King Ahab, known otherwise for his wickedness, issues the famous proverb found in verse 11, serving as a powerful rebuke to Ben-Hadad's premature and presumptuous pride. The context highlights Ben-Hadad's arrogance and Ahab's rare display of prudence.

1 Kings 20 11 Word analysis

• girdeth on (Hebrew: חגר, chagar): To bind on, gird, put on. This term signifies the act of putting on a belt or tightening one's clothes, often to prepare for action, exertion, or battle. In military context, it means to strap on one's armor and weapons. It symbolizes readiness and the beginning of an endeavor, yet signifies a state before any outcome is determined.
• harness (Hebrew: כלי, keli): Literally "vessel," "implement," or "article." In this context, it refers to a soldier's military equipment or armor. It emphasizes that the warrior is fully equipped and prepared for battle, but has not yet faced the foe, let alone won. The KJV usage of "harness" here is an archaic term for protective armor or equipment for a person or horse.
• boast himself (Hebrew: יהלל, yahallel from הלל, halal): To praise, boast, commend, make a show of. This verb conveys the act of arrogantly exalting oneself or expressing excessive pride. The use of the Hithpael stem emphasizes self-glorification, highlighting a public or inward display of presumptive confidence. It carries the negative connotation of presumptuous pride.
• as he that putteth it off (Hebrew: כמפתח, kimfatteach from פתח, patach): To open, loosen, set free. In this military context, it refers to unbuckling or taking off one's armor or military equipment. This action signifies the end of the battle, usually a successful one, where the warrior can now safely disarm and rest. It symbolizes the completion of an effort and the achievement of victory.
• him that girdeth on his harness: This phrase depicts a soldier who is merely at the beginning of a military campaign. He is full of intentions, equipped for the fight, but has not yet proven his worth or achieved victory. It speaks of the initial, uncertain phase of any challenging undertaking.
• him that putteth it off: This phrase describes a soldier who has fought the battle, emerged victorious, and is now celebrating by unstrapping his gear. It symbolizes the one who has truly finished the task and succeeded, making his boasting justifiable based on actual achievement.
• Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off: This entire proverb serves as a direct, wise counsel against premature exultation and overconfidence. It warns against celebrating or making grandiose claims about an outcome before the task is completed and the victory secured. It’s a call for humility, prudence, and acknowledgment that the future outcome is uncertain until actual accomplishment. This embodies the wisdom that results should be celebrated, not aspirations or intentions.

1 Kings 20 11 Bonus section

• While Ahab was a wicked king, this particular proverb reflects a common, ancient Near Eastern wisdom often seen in military contexts. Scholars suggest it was likely a well-known adage of the time, emphasizing prudence and the recognition of fate's uncertainty. God sometimes uses unlikely instruments to declare truth, demonstrating His sovereignty over all human endeavors, even when conveyed through non-godly sources.
• The military metaphor also finds resonance in the New Testament, where believers are exhorted to "gird up the loins of their mind" (1 Pet 1:13) or to "put on the whole armor of God" (Eph 6:11). This spiritual "girding" implies readiness and resolve for the spiritual battle, but not premature boasting of victory before the Christian life's course is finished.
• The outcome of the subsequent battle in 1 Kings 20, where God grants Ahab victory against the numerically superior Aramean forces despite Israel's unfaithfulness, powerfully illustrates the truth of this proverb. God intended to demonstrate to Ahab and Israel that He is the LORD, the true God, and not Ben-Hadad's pagan deities (1 Ki 20:13, 28). Ben-Hadad's boasting proved indeed premature.

1 Kings 20 11 Commentary

King Ahab's reply in 1 Kings 20:11 encapsulates a fundamental biblical and practical truth about humility and the perils of pride. Faced with the insolent and hubristic threats of Ben-Hadad, Ahab responds not with equal aggression, but with a proverb that underscores the folly of celebrating a victory not yet won. The vivid imagery of the warrior preparing for battle versus the one disarming after a triumphant return speaks directly to the uncertainty of conflict and life itself. This proverb reinforces the concept, pervasive in Scripture, that true boasting comes after God has granted success, not before the testing has begun. Even from an unrighteous king, this statement reflects a practical wisdom acknowledged across cultures and serves as a powerful reminder against presumptive confidence in any endeavor, whether spiritual or worldly. It prompts reflection on our dependence on God rather than self-reliance before achievements are realized.