“I am black,” this is referring to Ahab, as it is stated: “It was when Ahab heard these matters that he rent his garments [and placed sackcloth upon his flesh, and he fasted]” (I Kings 21:27). How much did he fast? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Three hours. If he was accustomed to eat his meal at three hours, he ate at six, and if he would eat at six, he ate at nine.
“He lay in sackcloth, and walked slowly” (I Kings 21:27). Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: He walked barefoot.191One who walks barefoot often walks more slowly than usual. The point here is that although Ahab was a wicked king, and is therefore called “black,” he humbled himself before God and his repentance was accepted (see I Kings 21:29), and is therefore also “lovely.” [Similarly,] regarding Yehoram, what is written?
“The people saw, and behold, the sackcloth was upon his flesh underneath” (II Kings 6:30). Rabbi Levi Bar Ḥaita said three approaches in regard to this [verse]: I am black all the days of the week and I am lovely on Shabbat. I am black all the days of the year and I am lovely on Yom Kippur. I am black regarding the Ten Tribes and I am lovely regarding the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. I am black in this world and I am lovely in the World to Come.