the people looked] At such an appeal many would congregate beside
die two persons concerned in the matter.
he had sackcloth within upon his flesh] Cf. the action of his father
Ahab (1 Kings xxi. 37) when God threatened him with punishment after
the murder of Naboth. But neither in one case nor the other does the
sorrow appear to have worked any good result. ' I find his sorrow, I
find not his repentance. The worst man may grieve for his smart, only
the good heart grieves for his offence ' (Bp Hall). The result of
Jehoram's anguish seems to have been only rage against Elisha.
