2 Kings 19:1 - Exposition

And it came to pass, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes —following the example of his chief officers, who came into his presence "with their clothes rent" (see 2 Kings 18:37 )— and covered himself with sackcloth. A sign of grief and self-humiliation (comp. Genesis 37:34 ; 2 Samuel 3:31 ; 2 Samuel 21:10 ; 1 Kings 20:31 , 1 Kings 21:27 ; 2 Kings 6:30 , etc.). It was natural that the king should be even more strongly affected than his ministers. And went into the house of the Lord ; to open his griefs, ask counsel, and beg for aid.