Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 21:29

"Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but in his son`s days will I bring the evil upon his house." — 1 Kings 21:29 (ASV)

How Ahab humbles himself. —As there is something entirely characteristic of Ahab’s impressible nature in this burst of penitence, so in the acceptance of it there is a remarkable illustration of the Divine mercy. The repentance might seem not only to come too late but also to be the mere offspring of fear—more aware of the shame of discovery than of the shamefulness of sin. Human judgment would despise it, but God sees in its imperfection some seeds of promise, and His partial remission of penalty shows that it is not disregarded in His sight. Ahab himself is still to suffer the predicted doom, but he is to die in honor, and the utter destruction waits until Jehoram fills up the measure of iniquity.