For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth. "Word" in Hebrew is used for 'the thing.' The language implies that it was after the appointment of a fast by general acclamation of the people that the whole of what had occurred reached the king; and, instead of bring jealous at the initiative having been taken by the people, he at once humbled himself after his people's example.
And sat in ashes - emblem of the deepest humiliation (Job 2:8; Ezekiel 27:30). The "robe" that he laid aside was the large costly upper garment, so called from its amplitude х 'adartow (H155)].