The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:27-29
Partial Penitence. Such was the effect of Elijah's message delivered in the vineyard of Naboth. The fearless courage of the prophet had again asserted itself, and once more the king quailed before his terrible words of denunciation. The subject is the more worthy of study because the deceitfulness of the human heart is here laid bare by "the searcher of hearts." If we understand Ahab, we shall better understand ourselves. I. THE DECEITFUL NATURE OF AHAB 'S HUMILIATION . We... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:27
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those [Heb. these ] words [verses 21-24, and others not recorded], that he rent his clothes [cf. 2 Samuel 13:19 ; Job 1:20 ; Job 2:12 ; Jeremiah 36:24 , etc.], and put sackcloth upon his flesh [ 1 Kings 20:31 ; 2 Kings 6:1-33 :80; Joel 1:8 ; 2 Samuel 21:10 , Heb.] , and fasted, and lay [ i.e; slept] in sackcloth, and went softly. [All these were signs of contrition and humiliation (verse 29). The "going softly"—Josephus... read more