2 Kings 6:30

KJV

And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, [he had] sackcloth within upon his flesh.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when the king {H4428} heard {H8085} the words {H1697} of the woman {H802}, that he rent {H7167} his clothes {H899}; and he passed by {H5674} upon the wall {H2346}, and the people {H5971} looked {H7200}, and, behold, he had sackcloth {H8242} within {H1004} upon his flesh {H1320}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the king heard what the woman said, he tore his clothes. At the time, he was passing by on the wall; and when the people looked, they saw him there with sackcloth against his skin.

Berean Standard Bible

When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. And as he passed by on the wall, the people saw the sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes (now he was passing by upon the wall); and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 6:30 vividly portrays King Jehoram's profound reaction to the horrific revelation of cannibalism during the severe Syrian siege of Samaria. His public act of rending his clothes, a culturally significant display of grief and despair, is immediately followed by the shocking discovery that he had been secretly wearing sackcloth directly upon his flesh beneath his royal garments. This verse powerfully unveils the king's deep, hidden anguish and personal humility in the face of national catastrophe, painting a complex portrait of a leader grappling with immense suffering, divine judgment, and a private spiritual struggle.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic and visceral response to one of the most harrowing accounts in the Old Testament. Immediately preceding it, two women appeal to King Jehoram, revealing a desperate and horrifying pact to boil and eat their own children due a severe famine in besieged Samaria, a direct consequence of the prolonged Aramean siege ([2 Kings 6:28-29](/2_kings/6-28-29 "2 Kings 6:28-29 - The Horrific Plea of the Women")). The king's reaction in verse 30 is a direct and intense consequence of this unimaginable revelation, signifying the absolute nadir of the city's suffering and the extreme desperation of its inhabitants. This pivotal moment also sets the stage for King Jehoram's subsequent anger towards Elisha, whom he blames for the calamity, and, crucially, Elisha's miraculous prophecy of abundant deliverance in the very next chapter ([2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha Prophesies Abundance")). The narrative moves from the depths of human depravity and suffering to the cusp of divine intervention.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described unfold during a prolonged siege of Samaria by the Aramean (Syrian) army under King Ben-hadad, a common and brutal tactic in ancient warfare designed to starve a city into submission. Famine was a devastating and frequently employed weapon, often leading to extreme measures, including the abhorrent act of cannibalism, which was considered an ultimate curse and a dire sign of divine judgment for covenant disobedience, as explicitly warned in the Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 28:53-57](/deuteronomy/28-53-57 "Deuteronomy 28:53-57 - Consequences of Disobedience and Cannibalism")). The cultural practices of "rending clothes" (Hebrew: _qara' begadim_) and wearing "sackcloth" (Hebrew: _saq_) were deeply embedded and universally understood expressions of profound grief, shock, mourning, or repentance in ancient Israel. These acts were often associated with a turning to God in times of national calamity or personal distress, signifying humility and supplication ([Isaiah 37:1-2](/isaiah/37-1-2 "Isaiah 37:1-2 - Hezekiah's Response to Crisis")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several significant themes. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **human desperation** under divine judgment, highlighting the extreme suffering and moral degradation brought about by the siege and famine. Secondly, it introduces the profound theme of **hidden humility and lament**, as the king's private wearing of sackcloth contrasts sharply with his public persona and initial outburst of anger. This duality underscores the **tension between outward appearance and inner reality**, suggesting that true spiritual distress, lament, and a turning towards God can occur even in unexpected places and in the hearts of seemingly unrighteous leaders. Furthermore, it implicitly points to the **severity of God's judgment** upon a disobedient nation, even as it subtly foreshadows the potential for divine mercy and intervention in response to a leader's (even if private) lament and the eventual intercession of God's prophet, Elisha.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rent (Hebrew, קָרַע, _qâra'_):** A primitive root meaning "to rend," literally or figuratively. In this context, it describes a spontaneous, often violent, tearing of one's outer garments. This was a highly visible and culturally understood sign of extreme emotion—not merely anger, but profound grief, horror, shock, despair, or indignation. It symbolized a tearing of one's composure or even one's very being in the face of unbearable news or tragedy, signifying a loss of control and an overwhelming emotional response.
* **Sackcloth (Hebrew, שַׂק, _saq_):** Derived from a root meaning "to mesh," this refers to a coarse, rough fabric, typically made from goat hair, worn directly against the skin. Its discomfort was intentional, designed to afflict the body as a symbol of deep mourning, lament, humility, or repentance. It was often worn during times of personal or national calamity, signifying a turning away from comfort and a turning towards God in supplication and sorrow.
* **Flesh (Hebrew, בָּשָׂר, _bâsâr_):** From a root meaning "to be fresh," this term refers to flesh, body, or person. In this context, "upon his flesh" emphasizes that the sackcloth was worn directly against the king's skin, indicating a personal, physical affliction and a deep, intimate act of self-abasement. This detail highlights the discomfort and intentionality of his hidden mourning, making his private suffering tangible.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman,"**: This clause establishes the immediate and horrifying catalyst for the king's subsequent actions. The "words of the woman" refer to her unimaginable revelation of cannibalism, bringing the full, depraved reality of the siege's severity directly to the king's ears and consciousness.
* **"that he rent his clothes;"**: This is the king's immediate, public, and visceral response. It is an outward manifestation of profound shock, grief, despair, and perhaps even rage at the utter depravity and suffering that has befallen his people under his watch. This dramatic act communicates the depth of the crisis to all who witness it, signifying a complete breakdown of composure.
* **"and he passed by upon the wall,"**: This detail places the king in his public role, likely inspecting the city's defenses or maintaining a visible presence among his suffering people. It suggests he was attempting to project an image of leadership or control, even as he was internally reeling from the news and the weight of his office.
* **"and the people looked, and, behold,"**: This highlights the public's awareness and observation of their king. They are watching his reaction, perhaps seeking reassurance, or simply observing the impact of the crisis on their leader. The interjection "behold" signals a surprising and significant revelation to the onlookers, drawing the reader's attention to the impending discovery.
* **"[he had] sackcloth within upon his flesh."**: This is the shocking and pivotal revelation. Beneath his torn royal garments, the people—and the reader—discover the king's secret. He had been privately wearing sackcloth, indicating a hidden state of mourning, humility, or repentance. This private act profoundly contrasts with his public display, revealing a deeper, more complex internal state than initially perceived, hinting at a hidden spiritual struggle and acknowledgment of the dire situation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Symbolism**, with the tearing of clothes symbolizing profound distress and the wearing of sackcloth symbolizing deep mourning, humility, and repentance. This creates a powerful **Irony** and **Dramatic Irony**: the king's public display of anger and despair is dramatically juxtaposed with his hidden, private act of self-abasement. The audience is privy to a truth about the king's inner state that the people on the wall only discover at that very moment of revelation. This stark contrast highlights the king's dual role as a public figure burdened by leadership and a private individual grappling with a profound spiritual crisis. The unexpected revelation also serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing**, hinting that despite the extreme despair and the king's initial unrighteousness, there is a hidden element of humility or turning to God that might precede divine intervention, setting the stage for Elisha's subsequent prophecy of deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
King Jehoram's hidden sackcloth offers a profound theological insight into the nature of true spiritual posture and God's perception of the human heart. While his public actions might have been inconsistent or initially driven by anger, his private act of wearing sackcloth suggests a deep, personal acknowledgment of the crisis's spiritual dimensions and perhaps a turning towards God in humility and lament. This aligns with the biblical principle that God looks beyond outward appearances to the condition of the heart, valuing internal brokenness over external show. Even a king, burdened by the immense weight of his office and the suffering of his people, can engage in a private act of contrition that God observes and, in His sovereignty, can respond to. This hidden humility, though not immediately leading to a public declaration of repentance or a complete transformation of character, sets the stage for God's compassionate response to the nation's plight through the prophet Elisha, demonstrating God's attentiveness to even the faintest glimmer of a contrite spirit.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")
* [Jonah 3:5-6](/jonah/3-5-6 "Jonah 3:5-6 - Nineveh's Repentance and God's Compassion")
* [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Jehoram's hidden sackcloth serves as a poignant reminder that our true spiritual state is often revealed not by our public pronouncements or outward displays, but by the quiet, private postures of our hearts before God. In moments of profound crisis, whether personal or collective, there is a deep spiritual imperative to humble ourselves, to lament, and to seek God's face, even if such acts remain unseen by others. This passage challenges us to consider the authenticity of our faith and repentance: is it merely for show, or does it stem from a genuine, internal brokenness and a desire to align ourselves with God's will? The king's example, though imperfect and complex, underscores the immense burden of leadership and the profound need for leaders to cultivate a private spiritual life that can sustain them through unimaginable pressures. It also offers a glimmer of hope that God sees and responds to even the most hidden expressions of humility and sorrow, paving the way for His grace and intervention, even when full and consistent repentance is yet to be realized.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do our private spiritual disciplines and attitudes truly inform and shape our public actions and leadership?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to hide our true spiritual state or to present a different outward image, and what are the spiritual implications of doing so?**
* **What does this passage teach us about God's responsiveness to even a hidden act of humility or lament during times of severe crisis, and how does this encourage our own private prayers?**

### FAQ

**Why did the king wear sackcloth secretly?**

Answer: King Jehoram likely wore sackcloth secretly to navigate the complex demands of his public role as a strong, authoritative leader while privately grappling with immense anguish and perhaps a personal sense of lament or repentance before God. In a time of extreme crisis and national despair, publicly displaying sackcloth might have been perceived as a sign of weakness, complete surrender to despair, or an admission of guilt, potentially undermining the morale of his besieged people. By wearing it "within upon his flesh," he could maintain a facade of control and strength for his subjects while privately acknowledging the dire situation, mourning the suffering of his people, and perhaps even seeking divine mercy for himself and his kingdom. It highlights the profound tension between his royal duty and his personal, spiritual burden.

**Does this act of the king indicate genuine repentance?**

Answer: While the act of wearing sackcloth traditionally signified repentance and humility in ancient Israel, King Jehoram's overall character and subsequent actions in 2 Kings suggest a complex and often inconsistent faith, making a definitive judgment of "genuine repentance" difficult. His immediate reaction in [2 Kings 6:31](/2_kings/6-31 "2 Kings 6:31 - King Jehoram's Vow Against Elisha"), for example, is to blame Elisha and vow to kill him, indicating a lack of full understanding or consistent turning to God. Therefore, his hidden sackcloth likely indicates a profound personal distress, a recognition of the severity of the crisis, and a form of lament or self-affliction, rather than a complete, transformative repentance that leads to consistent obedience and a changed heart. It presents a nuanced picture of a leader under unimaginable pressure, capable of private humility and sorrow even amidst public anger and spiritual confusion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
King Jehoram's hidden sackcloth, a private act of humility and lament in the face of national calamity, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Jehoram's act was a limited, imperfect response to a temporal crisis, Jesus, the true King, embraced the ultimate "sackcloth" of human flesh and suffering not in secret, but openly and perfectly for the salvation of humanity. The Son of God, though He was rich, for our sake became poor ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Humility and Our Riches")), taking on the form of a servant and humbling Himself even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). He bore the "sackcloth" of our sins and the judgment due to us, not hidden beneath royal robes, but publicly displayed on Calvary's hill ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - The Suffering Servant")), so that we might be clothed in His righteousness. Unlike Jehoram, whose hidden sorrow was a response to a famine of bread and a sign of his own limited understanding, Jesus is the Bread of Life who offers eternal sustenance to a world starving for spiritual truth and deliverance from sin ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). His suffering and humiliation were not a sign of despair or a private struggle, but the very means by which He secured our eternal hope, reconciled us to God, and opened the way to abundant life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 21:27

And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

2 Kings 19:1

¶ And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard [it], that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

Isaiah 58:5

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? [is it] to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes [under him]? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

Isaiah 58:7

[Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

2 Kings 5:7

And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, [Am] I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.