1 Kings 20:11

20:11 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.” ¹ 

1 Kings 20:32

20:32 So they put sackcloth around their waists and ropes on their heads and went to the king of Israel. They said, “Your servant ²  Ben Hadad says, ‘Please let me live!’” Ahab ³  replied, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” ⁴ 

[20:11]  ¹ sn The point of the saying is that someone who is still preparing for a battle should not boast as if he has already won the battle. A modern parallel would be, “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.”

[20:32]  ² sn Your servant. By referring to Ben Hadad as Ahab’s servant, they are suggesting that Ahab make him a subject in a vassal treaty arrangement.

[20:32]  ³ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Ahab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[20:32]  ⁴ sn He is my brother. Ahab’s response indicates that he wants to make a parity treaty and treat Ben Hadad as an equal partner.