2 Kings 6:22

KJV

And he answered, Thou shalt not smite [them]: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he answered {H559}, Thou shalt not smite {H5221} them: wouldest thou smite {H5221} those whom thou hast taken captive {H7617} with thy sword {H2719} and with thy bow {H7198}? set {H7760} bread {H3899} and water {H4325} before {H6440} them, that they may eat {H398} and drink {H8354}, and go {H3212} to their master {H113}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He answered, "Don't attack them! You wouldn't even attack prisoners you had captured with your own sword and bow, would you? So give them food to eat and water to drink, and let them return to their master."

Berean Standard Bible

“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”

American Standard Version

And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Elisha's directive to the King of Israel in 2 Kings 6:22 dramatically pivots from expected retribution to an astonishing act of hospitality, instructing the king to feed the blinded Syrian army rather than execute them. This command, issued after Elisha supernaturally led the disoriented enemy into the heart of Samaria, showcases divine sovereignty, challenges conventional warfare, and powerfully demonstrates God's preference for mercy and unconventional strategy over immediate vengeance, ultimately fostering peace and revealing His character to both Israel and Syria.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The preceding verses ([2 Kings 6:8-19](/2_kings/6-8 "2 Kings 6:8 - The Aramean King's Frustration")) establish the escalating conflict between Aram (Syria) and Israel. The Aramean king, frustrated by Elisha's prophetic insights that continually thwarted his military plans, dispatches a formidable army to Dothan to capture the prophet. Elisha's servant is terrified by the sight of the encircling forces, but Elisha prays for his eyes to be opened to see the heavenly chariots of fire, revealing God's protective presence ([2 Kings 6:17](/2_kings/6-17 "2 Kings 6:17 - Elisha's Servant Sees the Heavenly Host")). Subsequently, Elisha prays for the Aramean army to be struck with blindness, and then, in an astonishing act of divine deception, he personally leads the disoriented soldiers from Dothan directly into the fortified Israelite capital of Samaria ([2 Kings 6:20](/2_kings/6-20 "2 Kings 6:20 - The Arameans' Eyes Are Opened in Samaria")). Upon their arrival, the King of Israel, seeing his helpless enemies within his grasp, eagerly asks Elisha if he should "smite them." Verse 22 is Elisha's profound and counter-intuitive response, setting the stage for an unprecedented act of mercy that immediately precedes the cessation of Aramean raids mentioned in [2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - The Arameans Cease Raiding Israel")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This episode occurs during a period of frequent military incursions and border conflicts between the northern kingdom of Israel and the Aramean kingdom of Damascus. Warfare in the ancient Near East was often brutal, with the treatment of captives ranging from enslavement to execution, especially for those taken in battle. The king's impulse to "smite" the enemy aligns with the prevailing military ethos of the time, where total annihilation of a defeated foe was not uncommon. However, the context here is unique: these soldiers were not captured through Israelite military prowess but through divine intervention, placing them under a different moral obligation. Furthermore, the act of providing food and water to a vanquished or helpless enemy, while not universally practiced, could be a powerful gesture of hospitality or a means of asserting moral superiority, though Elisha's command elevates it to a divine imperative.
* **Key Themes:** Elisha's directive powerfully underscores **Divine Mercy and Compassion**, demonstrating God's character as one who prefers grace over immediate retribution, even towards adversaries. This act of unexpected kindness serves as a profound witness, transcending the conventional animosity between nations. It also highlights **God's Unconventional Strategy**, where the Lord, through His prophet, employs extraordinary and counter-intuitive methods to achieve His purposes. Rather than a bloody confrontation, God uses a display of His sovereignty and an act of radical grace to disarm the enemy, ultimately leading to a period of peace ([2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - The Arameans Cease Raiding Israel")). The passage further illustrates the principle of **Overcoming Evil with Good**, providing an Old Testament precursor to New Testament teachings on loving enemies and returning good for evil, as seen in passages like [Romans 12:21](/romans/12-21 "Romans 12:21 - Overcoming Evil with Good") and [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")). Finally, the episode firmly establishes **Elisha's Prophetic Authority**, as he, speaking for God, overrides the king's natural inclination for vengeance, guiding the monarch to act according to divine will rather than human impulse or military convention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smite (Hebrew, _nakah'_):** The Hebrew verb נָכָה (_nakah_) is a versatile term meaning "to strike, smite, beat, wound, or kill." In military contexts, it frequently denotes a decisive defeat or the killing of enemies. The King of Israel's question, "shall I smite them?", clearly indicates his intent to execute the helpless Aramean soldiers. Elisha's rhetorical response, "wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow?", highlights the crucial distinction: these enemies were not overcome by human strength or conventional warfare, but by a miraculous act of God. Therefore, the usual rules of engagement and the common practice of executing captives taken in battle do not apply; a different, divinely mandated response is required.
* **Captive (Hebrew, _shĕbî'_):** The noun שְׁבִי (_shĕbî_) refers to those taken into captivity, typically prisoners of war. The phrase "whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow" is central to Elisha's argument. It underscores that the Arameans were *not* taken captive by the Israelite army's conventional means. Their capture was entirely supernatural, a direct result of God's intervention. This divine agency fundamentally alters their status from typical prisoners of war, who might be subject to the king's arbitrary will, to individuals delivered by God into Israel's care, thus demanding a response aligned with God's character rather than human vengeance.
* **Bread and Water (Hebrew, _leḥem ūmayim'_):** This phrase, לֶחֶם וּמַיִם (_leḥem ūmayim_), represents the most basic necessities for human sustenance. In the ancient Near East, offering bread and water to a traveler or even an enemy was a fundamental act of hospitality. In this context, it stands in stark contrast to the king's desire for execution. Elisha's command to "set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink" transforms the situation from one of potential slaughter to one of life-giving provision. It symbolizes a radical act of mercy and an invitation to reconciliation, reflecting a divine economy that values life and seeks transformation over destruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he answered, Thou shalt not smite [them]:"** Elisha, as the direct mouthpiece of God, immediately and unequivocally rejects the King of Israel's proposal to execute the Aramean soldiers. The negative command "Thou shalt not smite" (לֹא תַכֶּה, _lo takkeh_) carries the weight of divine prohibition, overriding the king's natural inclination for vengeance and asserting God's higher will. This initial declaration sets the tone for the radical mercy that follows, preventing a conventional military response and opening the door for God's unconventional strategy.
* **"wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow?"** This is a powerful rhetorical question, designed to challenge the king's premise and expose the true nature of the situation. Elisha implies that the king has no moral or military right to "smite" these particular captives because they were not taken by the king's own strength, "with thy sword and with thy bow." Their capture was entirely supernatural, a direct act of God. Therefore, they are not subject to the normal laws of war or the king's personal prerogative, but rather to God's specific, merciful instruction. This question subtly rebukes the king for presuming ownership over a divine victory.
* **"set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master."** This command outlines the precise, counter-intuitive action required. Instead of death, Elisha mandates life-sustaining provision ("bread and water"), an act of radical hospitality towards enemies. The purpose is not to imprison them further or to demand ransom, but "that they may eat and drink, and go to their master." This complete release, after being fed and refreshed, is astonishing. It demonstrates a profound trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to disarm enemies through grace, aiming for a transformation of relationship rather than simple destruction. It is an act designed to shame the enemy through kindness and reveal the God of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [2 Kings 6:22](/2_kings/6-22 "2 Kings 6:22 - Elisha's Command of Mercy") is rich with literary devices that amplify its profound message. Elisha's response begins with a pointed **Rhetorical Question**: "wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow?" This question is not seeking an answer but rather challenging the King of Israel's underlying assumption and asserting a moral and theological truth. It highlights the crucial distinction between enemies captured through conventional military might and those miraculously delivered by divine intervention, thereby negating the king's perceived right to execute them. This sets up a powerful **Contrast** and **Irony**: the king's natural inclination is for vengeance and destruction, yet Elisha, speaking for God, commands an act of radical hospitality and life-giving provision. The irony is deepened by the subsequent outcome in [2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - The Arameans Cease Raiding Israel"), where this act of mercy proves far more effective in neutralizing the threat than any act of violence could have been, causing the Aramean raiding bands to cease their incursions. Furthermore, "bread and water" serve as potent **Symbolism**, representing not merely physical sustenance but also the profound act of hospitality, reconciliation, and the preservation of life, standing in stark opposition to the death and enmity that conventionally define warfare.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates God's sovereignty over all human affairs, including military conflicts. It challenges the conventional human understanding of justice and retribution, revealing a divine character that prioritizes mercy and transformative grace, even towards enemies. God, through Elisha, demonstrates that His ways are often counter-intuitive to human logic, proving that true victory is not always achieved through superior force but through acts of radical kindness and obedience to His unconventional commands. This episode serves as a powerful testament to the ethical treatment of adversaries, foreshadowing later biblical principles that call for love and compassion even for those who seek to harm us. It underscores the truth that God's ultimate goal is often redemption and witness, rather than mere destruction.

* [Proverbs 25:21-22](/proverbs/25-21-22 "Proverbs 25:21-22 - Feed Your Enemy")
* [Romans 12:20-21](/romans/12-20-21 "Romans 12:20-21 - Overcoming Evil with Good")
* [Matthew 5:43-44](/matthew/5-43-44 "Matthew 5:43-44 - Love Your Enemies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 2 Kings 6:22 presents a radical challenge to our natural human instincts for retaliation and self-preservation. In a world often driven by a "might makes right" mentality and the desire for immediate vengeance against those perceived as threats, Elisha's command to feed and release the enemy army calls believers to a higher, divine standard. It compels us to consider how we respond to adversaries, critics, or those who have wronged us, urging us to embody God's character of mercy and grace. This passage teaches that genuine strength lies not in the ability to destroy, but in the capacity to extend compassion, even when it seems counter-intuitive or undeserved. It reminds us that acts of kindness, rooted in obedience to God's unconventional wisdom, can be far more transformative and effective in disarming hostility and bearing witness to God's love than any act of aggression.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to seek retribution rather than extend mercy, especially towards those who oppose me?**
* **How does Elisha's radical act of hospitality challenge my understanding of "winning" or "overcoming" in conflict situations?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "set bread and water" before an "enemy" in my own sphere of influence, demonstrating God's unconventional love?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't Elisha just kill the Syrian army, or let the king do it, given they were enemies?**

Answer: Elisha's command to spare the Syrian army, rather than allowing the King of Israel to "smite them," was a deliberate act of divine strategy and a profound demonstration of God's character. Firstly, these soldiers were not captured through Israelite military prowess but by a miraculous act of God, who struck them with blindness and led them into Samaria ([2 Kings 6:18-20](/2_kings/6-18 "2 Kings 6:18 - Elisha Blinds the Arameans")). Therefore, their fate was not subject to conventional warfare rules but to God's specific instruction. Secondly, God often uses unconventional means to achieve His purposes, revealing His sovereignty and mercy. This act of radical hospitality was intended to shame the enemy through kindness and demonstrate the unique nature of Israel's God. The outcome in [2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - The Arameans Cease Raiding Israel") shows that this act of mercy was more effective than violence, as the Syrian raiding bands ceased their incursions into Israel for a time, proving God's wisdom transcends human military logic.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The radical mercy displayed in 2 Kings 6:22 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Elisha's command to feed and release enemies foreshadows the boundless compassion of God incarnate, who not only taught His followers to [love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies") but also exemplified this love on the cross. While the Aramean soldiers were disarmed by Elisha's divine intervention, humanity, as God's spiritual enemies, were disarmed by Christ's sacrificial love, reconciling us to God [while we were still sinners](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love"). Jesus Himself is the ultimate "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")) and the "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus the Living Water")), offering spiritual sustenance and eternal life to those who were spiritually blind and captive to sin. His call to "go to their master" finds resonance in the Great Commission, where believers are sent out to proclaim the good news, inviting all to return to their true Master, God, through repentance and faith in Christ. Thus, Elisha's act of mercy points forward to the greater mercy of God in Christ, who, instead of smiting His enemies, offered Himself as the ultimate provision for their reconciliation and eternal freedom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 48:22

Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

Romans 12:20

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Romans 12:21

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

2 Chronicles 28:8

And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

2 Chronicles 28:15

And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

Deuteronomy 20:11

And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, [that] all the people [that is] found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.

Deuteronomy 20:16

But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: