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.
Ahab ... rent his clothes ... went softly. He was not obdurate like Jezebel. This terrible announcement made a deep impression on the king's heart, and led for a while to sincere repentance. "Going softly" - i:e., barefoot, and with a pensive manner within doors. He manifested all the external signs, conventional and natural, of the deepest sorrow. He was wretched; and so great is the mercy of God, that, in consequence of his humiliation, the threatened punishment was deferred. But he did not "bring forth fruits meet for repentance," neither abandoning idolatry and re-establishing the true faith, nor restoring the ill-gotten vineyard of Naboth. But the Lord displayed His clemency and long-suffering by giving him an extended opportunity and increased motives to return to God, who would have mercy upon him, and to our God, who would abundantly pardon.