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.
The king of Israel replied, 'Tell him this: Don't let someone who is just putting on his armor for battle brag like someone who has already won and is taking it off.'
The king is saying don't boast about victory before you've actually fought and won the battle.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of 1 Kings 20, King Ahab of Israel is facing a military threat from Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, who is demanding tribute and arrogantly boasting about his forces. Ahab responds with this proverb to warn against overconfidence in battle, highlighting the folly of claiming victory before it is won. This scene reflects the ongoing power struggles in the divided kingdom era of Israel, where wars often depended on divine intervention rather than human strength alone.
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