1 Kings 20:11

11 The king of Yisra'el answered, Tell him, Don't let him who girds on [his armor] boast himself as he who puts it off.

1 Kings 20:11 Meaning and Commentary

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 for the battle as he that has got the victory; the sense is, let no man triumph before the battle is over and the victory won; the events of war are uncertain; the battle is not always to the strong.

1 Kings 20:11 In-Context

9 Therefore he said to the messengers of Ben-Hadad, Tell my lord the king, All that you did send for to your servant at the first I will do; but this thing I may not do. The messengers departed, and brought him word again.

10 Ben-Hadad sent to him, and said, The gods do so to me, and more also, if the dust of Shomron shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me.

11 The king of Yisra'el answered, Tell him, Don't let him who girds on [his armor] boast himself as he who puts it off.

12 It happened, when [Ben-Hadad] heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, Set [yourselves in array]. They set [themselves in array] against the city.

13 Behold, a prophet came near to Ach'av king of Yisra'el, and said, Thus says the LORD, Have you seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into your hand this day; and you shall know that I am the LORD.