What does 2 Kings 6:30 mean?
"¶ 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." - 2 Kings 6:30
The verse 2 Kings 6:30 from the King James Version reads: "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."
To understand the full meaning and context of this verse, we need to look at the surrounding verses and the historical context in which it takes place. The book of 2 Kings is part of the historical books of the Old Testament and it chronicles the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. In this particular chapter, we see the city of Samaria besieged by the Arameans, causing a great famine in the land.
In the verses leading up to 2 Kings 6:30, we learn about the extreme desperation and suffering of the people of Samaria. The famine was so severe that food became scarce and extremely expensive. In the midst of this dire situation, we see a gruesome account of two women who make a pact to eat their own children in order to survive. The king of Israel is deeply disturbed upon hearing this horrific news.
The verse itself describes the king's reaction to the words of the woman. When he hears about the cannibalistic act, he tears his clothes in grief and mourning. This action is a traditional sign of distress and anguish in the ancient Jewish culture. The tearing of clothes symbolizes a breaking and a mourning of the heart. In this case, the king is distraught at the extreme suffering and desperation that has befallen his people.
The passage continues to describe how the king, in his distress, walks along the city wall for all the people to see. The fact that the people looked and saw him in sackcloth (a coarse, rough material worn as a sign of mourning or repentance) upon his flesh, conveys a powerful message. The king is publicly displaying his grief and repentance for the sins of his people. This public act of mourning and humility could serve as a call to the people to turn back to God and seek his mercy and forgiveness.
The themes present in this verse and the surrounding passage include the consequences of sin, the suffering of the innocent, and the need for repentance and humility. The king's reaction to the extreme situation reflects the anguish and grief experienced by a leader who cares deeply for his people. It also serves as a reminder of the heavy responsibility of leadership and the impact of sin and disobedience on a nation.
In a broader sense, this verse also alludes to the importance of acknowledging and repenting of our sins, both as individuals and as a community. The public display of mourning and repentance by the king could be seen as a call to action for the people to turn away from their sinful ways and seek God's forgiveness and mercy.
Overall, 2 Kings 6:30 from the King James Version holds a powerful message about the consequences of sin, the suffering it brings, and the need for repentance and humility. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of seeking God's mercy and forgiveness, and the profound impact of our actions on those around us.
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2 Kings 6:30 - "¶ 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."
"¶ 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." - 2 Kings 6:30
1 Kings 6:30 - "And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without."
"And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without." - 1 Kings 6:30
2 kings 6:24
2 Chronicles 30:6 - "So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria."
2 Kings 17:30 - "And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,"
2 Kings 25:30 - "And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life."
2 Kings 19:30 - "And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward."
2 Kings 15:6 - "And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 4:30 - "And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her."
2 Kings 18:30 - "Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria."
2 Kings 9:30 - "¶ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window."
2 Kings 6:16 - "And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
2 Kings 3:6 - "¶ And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel."
2 Kings 12:6 - "But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house."
2 Kings 6:4 - "So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood."
2 Kings 15:30 - "And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah."
2 Kings 6:6 - "And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim."
2 Kings 22:6 - "Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house."
2 Kings 25:6 - "So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him."
2 Kings 24:6 - "So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 6:7 - "Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it."
2 Kings 7:6 - "For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us."
2 Kings 6:8 - "¶ Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp."
Matthew 6:30
2 Kings 6:26 - "And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king."
luke 6:30
2 Kings 6:14 - "Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about."
1 Kings 11:30-31