Definition: And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, [he had] sackcloth within upon his flesh.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a really powerful and unsettling passage from the Book of Kings. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a horrific scene that happened when King Jehoram heard a woman speaking about a terrible event. The woman was telling him about a devastating, possibly demonic, attack on his palace. Let's unpack the details: “And it came to pass…” – This is just a way of saying “This is what happened.” It’s setting up a story that’s going to be dramatic. “…when the king heard the words of the woman…” – The King was listening to someone who was speaking about something serious and frightening. “that he rent his clothes” - This is a very strong image. It means the King was incredibly shocked and terrified, almost as if he was tearing his clothes off in shame or distress. It signifies extreme fear and vulnerability. “and he passed by upon the wall…” – He was physically near the wall, likely trying to escape or be safe. “the people looked, and, behold, [he had] sackcloth within upon his flesh.” - This is the crucial part. The people (likely his advisors and soldiers) witnessed this horrifying sight. But here's the shocking detail: He had sackcloth inside him! Sackcloth is a type of cloth used to cover bodies in mourning or death. What does it all mean? This verse points to a significant event of divine judgment. It suggests that the King was being attacked by evil forces, and his body was suffering from a terrible affliction – possibly demonic influence. Important Note: The word "sackcloth" is often interpreted as referring to a spiritual affliction or punishment. It's not necessarily about physical sickness, but rather something that was happening to him on a spiritual level, causing great pain and distress. Overall Significance: This verse is a dramatic illustration of God’s judgment against sin and evil. It’s a reminder that even the most powerful rulers are vulnerable to divine wrath. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Discuss the historical context of this event? Explore the theological significance of this verse?