1 Kings 20:11
New International Version
The king of Israel answered, “Tell him: ‘One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.’”

New Living Translation
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.”

English Standard Version
And the king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’”

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

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel replied, “Tell him, ‘He who straps on his weapons had better not boast like one who takes them off.’”

NASB 1995
Then the king of Israel replied, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.’”

NASB 1977
Then the king of Israel answered and said, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel answered and said, “Speak to him, ‘Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.’”

Amplified Bible
The king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘A man who puts on [his armor to go to battle] should not boast like the man who takes it off [after the battle has been won].’”

Christian Standard Bible
The king of Israel answered, “Say this: ‘Don’t let the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king of Israel answered, “Say this: ‘Don’t let the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.’”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Ahab then answered, "Benhadad, don't brag before the fighting even begins. Wait and see if you live through it."

English Revised Version
And the king of Israel answered and said, tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his armour boast himself as he that putteth it off.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king of Israel answered, "The saying goes, 'Don't brag about a victory before you have even dressed for battle.'"

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

International Standard Version
But the king of Israel replied, "Tell him, 'The one who is starting to strap on his battle armor should never brag like the one who is taking it off.'"

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

NET Bible
The king of Israel replied, "Tell him the one who puts on his battle gear should not boast like one who is taking it off."

New Heart English Bible
The king of Israel answered, "Tell him, 'Do not let him who puts on his armor brag like he who takes it off.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
The king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Don’t let him who puts on his armor brag like he who takes it off.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king of Israel answers and says, “Speak: Do not let him who is girding on boast himself as him who is loosing [his armor].”

Young's Literal Translation
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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king of Israel will answer and say, Speak ye. He binding shall not boast as he loosening.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king of Israel answering, said: Tell him: Let not the girded boast himself as the ungirded.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And responding, the king of Israel said, “Tell him that one who is girded should not boast the same as one who is ungirded.”

New American Bible
The king of Israel replied, “Tell him, ‘Let not one who puts on armor boast like one who takes it off.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
The king of Israel answered, “Tell him: One who puts on armor should not brag like one who takes it off.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king of Israel answered and said, Let him talk; nevertheless, the one who ties a knot is not more able than the one who can untie it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King of Israel answered and said: “They have said, ‘He who binds is not able as he who loosens.’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king of Israel answered and said: 'Tell him: Let not him that girdeth on his armour boast himself as he that putteth it off.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king of Israel answered and said, Let it be sufficient; let not the humpbacked boast as he that is upright.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria
10Then Ben-hadad sent another message to Ahab: “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if enough dust remains of Samaria for each of my men to have a handful.” 11And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’” 12Ben-hadad received this message while he and the kings were drinking in their tents, and he said to his servants, “Take your positions.” So they stationed themselves against the city.…

Cross References
Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.

2 Chronicles 25:19
You have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and your heart has become proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?”

Isaiah 10:15
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!

1 Corinthians 10:12
So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.

Galatians 6:3
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

Isaiah 37:23
Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!

2 Kings 14:10
You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Glory in that and stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?”

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

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

came [heb] approached

2 Kings 6:8-12
Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp…

2 Kings 7:1
Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

2 Kings 13:23
And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

and thou shalt

1 Kings 20:28
And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

1 Kings 18:37
Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

Exodus 14:18
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

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1 Kings 20
1. Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria
13. By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain
22. As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek
28. By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again
31. The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant
35. The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner,
39. making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him














The king of Israel answered
This phrase introduces us to the speaker, Ahab, the king of Israel. Ahab's reign is marked by significant conflict and moral challenges, as he often strayed from God's commandments. His response here is a rare moment of wisdom, suggesting a deeper understanding of humility and the unpredictability of war. Historically, Ahab's reign (circa 874-853 BC) was a tumultuous period for Israel, often caught between larger empires and internal strife.

Tell him
This directive indicates a message being sent, likely through a messenger, which was a common practice in ancient times for communication between kings. The use of messengers highlights the formal and serious nature of the communication, as well as the hierarchical structures in place during this period.

The one putting on his armor
This phrase refers to someone preparing for battle. In ancient Israel, armor was a symbol of readiness and strength, often made of bronze or iron. The act of putting on armor signifies the beginning of a military campaign, a time of uncertainty and potential danger. The Hebrew root for "armor" (מָדִים, madim) can also imply preparation and the weight of responsibility that comes with it.

Should not boast
Boasting is a theme frequently addressed in the Bible, often associated with pride and a lack of reliance on God. Proverbs 27:1, for example, warns against boasting about tomorrow, emphasizing the unpredictability of life. In this context, Ahab's warning against boasting serves as a reminder of the humility required before the outcomes of battles are known.

Like one taking it off
This phrase contrasts the beginning of a battle with its end. Taking off armor signifies the completion of a conflict, ideally in victory and peace. The imagery here suggests that true confidence and boasting are only appropriate after success has been achieved. The Hebrew culture placed great value on humility and recognizing God's sovereignty in all outcomes, a principle that Ahab momentarily acknowledges.

Verse 11. - And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him Let not him that girdeth on his harness bout himself as he that putteth it off. [This proverb consists of four words in the Hebrew. The commentators cite the Latin, Ne triumphum canas ante victoriam, but proverbs to the same effect are found in most languages.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

replied,
וַיַּ֤עַן (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

“Tell him:
דַּבְּר֔וּ (dab·bə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

‘The one putting on [his armor]
חֹגֵ֖ר (ḥō·ḡêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2296: To gird, gird on, gird oneself

should not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

boast
יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל (yiṯ·hal·lêl)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1984: To shine

like one taking [it off].’”
כִּמְפַתֵּֽחַ׃ (kim·p̄at·tê·aḥ)
Preposition-k | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve


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OT History: 1 Kings 20:11 The king of Israel answered Tell him (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 20:10
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