When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body—
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to overlook that the woman's desperate words are what initially pierce the king's hardened heart, prompting his visceral reaction of tearing his clothes. His subsequent public display, revealing the sackcloth he was already wearing underneath, shows his inner turmoil and that this isn't just a show for the people, but a deep personal anguish before God.
When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body—
English Standard Version (ESV)
The city of Samaria is under a brutal siege, leading to extreme famine where mothers are resorting to cannibalism. This shocking account is presented to King Jehoram, who, upon hearing the woman's desperate plea and seeing the evidence of his people's suffering, rips his royal robes in despair. His inner anguish is revealed as the people notice he's wearing sackcloth, a sign of deep mourning and repentance, beneath his kingly attire.
Kings are often depicted in royal robes. But what happens when those robes are torn, revealing something underneath? This verse offers a powerful glimpse into a leader's inner turmoil.
Ripping the Robes of Royalty
The king's action of tearing his clothes is a profound display of grief and desperation. In ancient Israel, tearing garments was a sign of deep sorrow, mourning, or repentance.
Beneath the Surface
What's particularly striking is what is found beneath his torn royal attire: sackcloth. Sackcloth was a coarse, rough fabric typically worn by those in mourning, penance, or extreme distress. It was a symbol of humility and a public acknowledgment of one's low estate before God.
This king wasn't just putting on a show of grief; his outward display was rooted in an inward reality. He was a king, yes, but in this moment, facing such a dire crisis, he identified with the suffering and vulnerability of his people, donning the garments of humility and sorrow.
Imagine being on a city wall, watching your people starve. This verse captures a king witnessing the horrific consequences of a brutal siege. What does his reaction tell us about leadership and faith?
The Weight of a Nation
The king is on the wall, a vantage point that allows him to see the devastation caused by the Aramean siege. The starvation is so severe that mothers are resorting to cannibalism (as described in the preceding verses).
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A Leader's Anguish
His tearing of clothes and wearing of sackcloth isn't just personal grief; it's a king's anguish for his people. It signifies his recognition of the dire situation and perhaps his own helplessness or failure to protect them. This visceral reaction underscores the immense responsibility a leader bears for the well-being of their nation.
Looking for Hope
This moment of despair is a critical turning point. It's in this state of utter brokenness that the king is ready to hear the prophet Elisha's words and receive the news of God's imminent deliverance.
Understand the original words
qara' · Hebrew Verb
The act of rending or tearing garments, which in the biblical narrative serves as a customary outward expression of deep grief, intense mourning, repentance, or shock.
saq · Hebrew Noun
A coarse, dark fabric typically made of goats' hair, worn as a sign of extreme humiliation, mourning, repentance, or distress before God.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and repopulating the land with foreigners. This marks the end of the independent northern kingdom.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah and besieges Jerusalem. While Jerusalem is miraculously spared, many Judean cities are destroyed, and Assyrian influence becomes paramount.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeats the Egyptians and Assyrians at Carchemish. He then captures Jerusalem and deports some of the Judean elite, including Daniel, to Babylon.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a Judean revolt, Nebuchadnezzar again besieges Jerusalem and deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Temple
After a prolonged siege and further rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar finally destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, deporting most of the remaining population to Babylon. This is the lowest point for Judah.
During the Siege of Samaria (exact date uncertain, likely 9th or 8th century BC)— this verse
The Great Famine during the Siege of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel, likely during a siege by the Arameans (Syrians) from Damascus, experiences a horrific famine. This is the direct context for the story in 2 Kings 6.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Captures Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This ushers in a new era and eventually allows the Judean exiles to return to their homeland.
Jacob tore his clothes and put on sackcloth when he believed his son Joseph was dead, showing extreme grief and mourning.
1 Kings 20:31King Ahab tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body in repentance after a prophet confronted him about sparing an enemy king.
Esther 4:1Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes upon hearing of Haman's wicked plot against the Jews, signifying deep distress and a call to prayer.
Jeremiah 4:8The prophet Jeremiah calls for mourning and sackcloth, even using the imagery of tearing hearts, in response to Judah's sin and impending destruction.
Daniel 9:3Daniel wore sackcloth and sat in ashes as he fasted and prayed, deeply mourning the sins of his people and seeking understanding of God's judgment.
It's easy to overlook that the woman's desperate words are what initially pierce the king's hardened heart, prompting his visceral reaction of tearing his clothes. His subsequent public display, revealing the sackcloth he was already wearing underneath, shows his inner turmoil and that this isn't just a show for the people, but a deep personal anguish before God.
The city of Samaria is under a brutal siege, leading to extreme famine where mothers are resorting to cannibalism. This shocking account is presented to King Jehoram, who, upon hearing the woman's desperate plea and seeing the evidence of his people's suffering, rips his royal robes in despair. His inner anguish is revealed as the people notice he's wearing sackcloth, a sign of deep mourning and repentance, beneath his kingly attire.
The city of Samaria is under a brutal siege, leading to extreme famine where mothers are resorting to cannibalism. This shocking account is presented to King Jehoram, who, upon hearing the woman's desperate plea and seeing the evidence of his people's suffering, rips his royal robes in despair. His inner anguish is revealed as the people notice he's wearing sackcloth, a sign of deep mourning and repentance, beneath his kingly attire.
"When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body—" — It's easy to overlook that the woman's desperate words are what initially pierce the king's hardened heart, prompting his visceral reaction of tearing his clothes. His subsequent public display, reve…
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Last reviewed October 2026