And the king of Israel replied, "Tell him: 'The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.'" The king of Israel answeredThis 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. King AhabThe king of Israel during this time, known for his complex character and often criticized for his idolatry and disobedience to God. 2. Ben-HadadThe king of Aram (Syria), who was a powerful adversary of Israel and sought to conquer it. 3. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where King Ahab reigned. 4. Aram (Syria)A neighboring kingdom to Israel, often in conflict with Israel during this period. 5. The BattleThe context of this verse is a confrontation between Israel and Aram, where Ben-Hadad threatens Israel with war. Teaching Points Humility in ConflictAhab's response to Ben-Hadad teaches the importance of humility, especially in the face of conflict. We should not boast about victories before they are won. Trust in God's SovereigntyThe verse reminds us to trust in God's control over the outcomes of our battles, whether they are physical, spiritual, or emotional. Wisdom in SpeechAhab's reply is a lesson in using wisdom and restraint in our words, particularly when provoked or threatened. Preparation and PrudenceThe imagery of putting on and taking off armor suggests the need for preparation and prudence in our spiritual and daily lives. Avoiding PresumptionThis passage warns against presumption and overconfidence, encouraging believers to remain grounded and realistic. Bible Study Questions 1. How does King Ahab's response to Ben-Hadad reflect the biblical principle of humility, and how can we apply this in our daily interactions? 2. In what ways does this verse challenge us to consider the unpredictability of life and the importance of relying on God's will? 3. How can the imagery of putting on and taking off armor be applied to our spiritual lives, particularly in preparing for spiritual battles? 4. What are some modern-day situations where we might be tempted to boast prematurely, and how can we guard against this? 5. How does this passage connect with other scriptures that warn against presumption and overconfidence, and what practical steps can we take to cultivate humility? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 27:1This verse warns against boasting about tomorrow, which connects to the theme of humility and the unpredictability of outcomes. James 4:13-16This passage in the New Testament echoes the sentiment of not boasting about future plans, emphasizing reliance on God's will. Luke 14:31-32Jesus speaks about counting the cost before going to war, which relates to the wisdom of Ahab's response to Ben-Hadad's boastfulness. People Ahab, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Israelites, SyriansPlaces Aphek, Damascus, Samaria, SyriaTopics Answereth, Armor, Armour, Arms, Boast, Brag, Girdeth, Girding, Girds, Harness, Loosing, Loud, Puts, Putteth, Putting, Replied, Speak, Takes, Taking, TalkDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 20:11 5209 armour
5237 breastplate
5480 protection
5793 arrogance
5813 conceit
5961 superiority
8820 self-confidence 1 Kings 20:10-11 5575 talk, idle Library The Lost Opportunity
TEXT: "And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it."--1 Kings 20:40. There is a very striking incident connected with this text. The great battle is raging, a certain important prisoner has been taken, and if you read between the lines you seem to know that upon him depend many of the issues of war. His skill in leading the enemy had been marvelous, his courage in the thick of the fight striking; …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPutting on the Armour
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 xx. 11. For the Young. Ahab, King of Israel, was but a poor creature, and, like most weak characters, he turned out a wicked one, because he found that there were more temptations to do wrong than inducements to do right. Like other weak people, too, he was torn asunder by the influence of stronger wills. On the one side he had a termagant of a wife, stirring …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Letter of the Synod to the Emperor and Empress.
(Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. VII., col. 577.) To our most religious and most serene princes, Constantine and Irene his mother. Tarasius, the unworthy bishop of your God-protected royal city, new Rome, and all the holy Council which met at the good pleasure of God and upon the command of your Christ-loving majesty in the renowned metropolis of Nice, the second council to assemble in this city. Christ our God (who is the head of the Church) was glorified, most noble princes, when your heart, …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils Nature of the Renderings
From the text we now turn to the renderings, and to the general principles that were followed, both in the Old and in the New Testament. The revision of the English text was in each case subject to the same general rule, viz. "To introduce as few alterations as possible into the Text of the Authorised Version consistently with faithfulness"; but, owing to the great difference between the two languages, the Hebrew and the Greek, the application of the rule was necessarily different, and the results …
C. J. Ellicott—Addresses on the Revised Version of Holy Scripture The Practice of Piety in Glorifying God in the Time of Sickness, and when Thou Art Called to Die in the Lord.
As soon as thou perceivest thyself to be visited with any sickness, meditate with thyself: 1. That "misery cometh not forth of the dust; neither doth affliction spring out of the earth." Sickness comes not by hap or chance (as the Philistines supposed that their mice and emrods came, 1 Sam. vi. 9), but from man's wickedness, which, as sparkles, breaketh out. "Man suffereth," saith Jeremiah, "for his sins." "Fools," saith David, "by reason of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 20:11 NIV1 Kings 20:11 NLT1 Kings 20:11 ESV1 Kings 20:11 NASB1 Kings 20:11 KJV
1 Kings 20:11 Commentaries
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