The instance of Ahab
How powerful a means this is to avert the wrath of God we may learn from the remarkable instance of Ahab. There was none like him, who sold himself, wholly gave himself up, like a slave bought with money, to work wickedness. Yet when he tore his clothes and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and went softly, the word of the Lord came to Elijah, saying: Do you see how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days (1 Kings 21:25-29).
1771 text
How powerful a means this is, to avert the wrath of God, we may learn from the remarkable instance of Ahab. There was none like him, who did sell himself; wholly give himself up, like a slave bought with money, to work wickedness. Yet when he rent his cloaths and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and went softly: the word of the Lord came to Elijah, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days.