2 Kings 6:30

“And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes, etc.] At the horror of the fact reported, and through grief that his people were brought into such distress through famine: and he passed by upon the wall; returning to his palace: and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth upon his flesh; which, in token of humiliation for averting the calamities he was under, he had put there before, and now was seen through the rending of his clothes.”

“had sackcloth within upon his flesh--The horrid recital of this domestic tragedy led the king soon after to rend his garment, in consequence of which it was discovered that he wore a penitential shirt of haircloth. It is more than doubtful, however, if he was truly humbled on account of his own and the nation's sins; otherwise he would not have vowed vengeance on the prophet's life. The true explanation seems to be, that Elisha having counselled him not to surrender, with the promise, on condition of deep humiliation, of being delivered, and he having assumed the signs of contrition without receiving the expected relief, regarded Elisha who had proved false and faithless as the cause of all…”

“Sackcloth - Jehoram hoped perhaps to avert Yahweh’s anger, as his father had done 1 Kings 21:29. But there was no spirit of self-humiliation, or of true pentitence in his heart 2 Kings 5:7. See the next verse. return to 'Top of Page'”

“6:30 When Joram learned of cannibalism in the city, he tore his clothes in despair. • wearing burlap under his robe next to his skin: Doing this was an outward sign of mourning.”

“he rent his clothes: Kg2 5:7, Kg2 19:1; Kg1 21:27; Isa 58:5-7 4 Kings (2 Kings) 6:31”