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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 21:17-29

In these verses we may observe, I. The very bad character that is given of Ahab (1 Kgs. 21:25, 26), which comes in here to justify God in the heavy sentence passed upon him, and to show that though it was passed upon occasion of his sin in the matter of Naboth (which David's sin in the matter of Uriah did too much resemble), yet God would not have punished him so severely if he had not been guilty of many other sins, especially idolatry; whereas David, except in that one matter, did that which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:27

Delivered in 1 Kings 21:21 , that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon, his flesh , tore off his clothes, and stripped himself of all, even of his very shirt, and put sackcloth on his bare flesh, a coarse cloth made of hair, and such as sacks are made with: and fasted , how long it is not said: and lay in sackcloth ; in the night on his bed, would have no linen on him day nor night: and went softly : step by step, as persons mourning, grieving, and pensive, do; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:28

And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite ,.... After he was gone from Ahab, and Ahab had been some time in this humble posture; the Targum calls it the word of prophecy, and so it was, as the next verse shows: saying: as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:29

Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me ?.... Which yet was but an external humiliation, to be seen only with bodily eyes, as were all his actions and postures, before observed. Some Jewish writers F9 Bereshit Rabba in Abarbinel in loc. think his repentance was true and perfect, and his conversion thorough and real: they tell us F11 Pirke Eliezer, c. 43. , that he was in fasting and prayer morning and evening before the Lord, and was studying in the law all his days, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 21:27

He rent his clothes - He was penetrated with sorrow, and that evidently unfeigned. Put sackcloth upon his flesh - He humbled himself before God and man. And fasted - He afflicted his body for his soul's benefit. Lay in sackcloth - Gave the fullest proof that his repentance was real. And went softly - Walked barefooted; so the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic. The Vulgate has demisso capite , "with his head hanging down." Houbigant translates went... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 21:29

Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself - He did abase himself; he did truly repent him of his sins, and it was such a repentance as was genuine in the sight of God: He humbleth himself Before Me. The penitent heart ever meets the merciful eye of God; repentance is highly esteemed by the Father of compassion, even where it is comparatively shallow and short-lived. Any measure of godly sorrow has a proportionate measure of God's regard; where it is deep and lasting, the heart of God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:15-29

Guilt and Mercy. I. To ENJOY THE FRUITS OF SIN IS TO TAKE ITS GUILT . "Hast thou killed?" etc. It is not said that Ahab knew of the plot. The plain inference is that he did not. Jezebel wrote to the elders, and to her the tidings were sent that the deed was done. But if Ahab did not know before, he knew after. Knowing how it had been procured he nevertheless received it, and heard as he stood there the word of the Lord: "Hast thou killed , and also taken... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:25-29

Ahab's Repentance. After the terrible sentence pronounced by Elijah upon Ahab for his enormities follows this account of his repentance. The record teaches— I. THAT THERE IS REPENTANCE FOR THE VILEST . 1. Ahab answered this description . 2 . Yet Ahab took God's message to heart . 3 . He humbled himself accordingly . II. THAT THERE IS MERCY FOR THE PENITENT . 1 . God observed the repentance of Ahab . 2 . He called the attention... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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