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1 Kings 20:11

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 20:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
1 Kings 20:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken thou not, neither consent.
9Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Ben-hadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do; but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again.
10And Ben-hadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.
11And 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.
12And it came to pass, when [Ben-hadad] heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set [yourselves in array]. And they set [themselves in array] against the city.
13And, behold, a prophet came near unto Ahab king of Israel, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thy hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah.
14And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith Jehovah, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, Thou.
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What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ahab’s reply has the air of a proverb, with which Orientals always love to answer a foe. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Let not him, &c. - Do not triumph before the victory, for the events of war are uncertain. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:13”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Let not him: etc. This was no doubt a proverbial mode of expression. Jonathan renders it: "Let not him who girds himself, and goes down to battle, boast as one who has conquered and returned from it." Sa1 14:6, Sa1 14:12, Sa1 14:13, Sa1 17:44-47; Pro 27:1; Ecc 9:11; Isa 10:15, Isa 10:16; Mat 26:33-35, Mat 26:75 harness: The word harness is an obsolete word for armour, derived from the French harnois. See note on Exo 13:18. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:12”
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Sources and verification