(27) And went softly.--The translation seems correct; the meaning is variously conjectured. The LXX. (in some MSS.) has "bent down" in sorrow; the Vulgate similarly "with head bent down;" the Eastern versions and Josephus, "barefooted," which seems far the most probable meaning.

Verse 27. - And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those [Heb. these] words [vers. 21-24, and others not recorded], that he rent his clothes [cf. 2 Samuel 13:19; Job 1:20; Job 2:12; Jeremiah 36:24, etc.], and put sackcloth upon his flesh [1 Kings 20:31; 2 Kings 6:30; Joel 1:8; 2 Samuel 21:10, Heb.], and fasted, and lay [i.e., slept] in sackcloth, and went softly. [All these were signs of contrition and humiliation (ver. 29). The "going softly" - Josephus says he went barefoot - is especially characteristic of the subdued and chastened mind.]

21:17-29 Blessed Paul complains that he was sold under sin, Ro 7:14, as a poor captive against his will; but Ahab was willing, he sold himself to sin; of choice, and as his own act and deed, he loved the dominion of sin. Jezebel his wife stirred him up to do wickedly. Ahab is reproved, and his sin set before his eyes, by Elijah. That man's condition is very miserable, who has made the word of God his enemy; and very desperate, who reckons the ministers of that word his enemies, because they tell him the truth. Ahab put on the garb and guise of a penitent, yet his heart was unhumbled and unchanged. Ahab's repentance was only what might be seen of men; it was outward only. Let this encourage all that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe the holy gospel, that if a pretending partial penitent shall go to his house reprieved, doubtless, a sincere believing penitent shall go to his house justified.Delivered in 1 Kings 21:21,

that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon, his flesh, tore off his clothes, and stripped himself of all, even of his very shirt, and put sackcloth on his bare flesh, a coarse cloth made of hair, and such as sacks are made with:

and fasted, how long it is not said:

and lay in sackcloth; in the night on his bed, would have no linen on him day nor night:

and went softly: step by step, as persons mourning, grieving, and pensive, do; the Targum renders it "barefoot", and so Jarchi.