2 Kings 6:23

KJV

And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he prepared {H3739} great {H1419} provision {H3740} for them: and when they had eaten {H398} and drunk {H8354}, he sent them away {H7971}, and they went {H3212} to their master {H113}. So the bands {H1416} of Syria {H758} came {H935} no more {H3254} into the land {H776} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So he provided well for them; and after they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away; and they returned to their master. After that, no more raiding parties entered the land of Isra'el from Aram.

Berean Standard Bible

So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.

American Standard Version

And he prepared great provision for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 6:23 concludes a remarkable narrative demonstrating divine intervention and the transformative power of radical mercy. Following Elisha's miraculous leading of a blinded Syrian army into the heart of Samaria, the king of Israel, under the prophet's guidance, extends an extraordinary act of hospitality by providing a lavish feast for his captured enemies. This counter-intuitive act of kindness, rather than execution, results in a profound and lasting peace, as the Syrian raiding parties ceased their incursions into Israel, showcasing God's unconventional methods for disarming hostility and achieving true security.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful climax and resolution to the dramatic events unfolding from [2 Kings 6:8](/2_kings/6-8 "2 Kings 6:8 - Elisha's Supernatural Knowledge") through [2 Kings 6:22](/2_kings/6-22 "2 Kings 6:22 - Elisha Leads the Blinded Syrians"). The preceding narrative details the Syrian king's repeated attempts to ambush Israel, thwarted each time by Elisha's divinely revealed knowledge. Frustrated, the Syrian king dispatches a large army to Dothan to capture Elisha. Instead, Elisha prays for the Syrian soldiers to be struck with blindness, then personally leads them, disoriented and vulnerable, directly into Samaria, the capital city of Israel. The king of Israel, seeing his enemies completely at his mercy, instinctively asks Elisha if he should kill them. Elisha's surprising instruction to feed them instead sets the stage for the unprecedented act of hospitality described in [2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - Radical Hospitality and Peace").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Elisha's ministry (late 9th century BCE) was marked by frequent conflicts between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Aram (Syria). Syrian "bands" (*gĕdûdîm*) refer to small, marauding groups or raiding parties that would conduct hit-and-run attacks, plundering crops and livestock, and taking captives. These incursions were a constant source of instability and fear for the Israelite populace. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, captured enemies were typically subjected to harsh treatment, often execution or enslavement. However, there was also a complex cultural understanding of hospitality, where providing food and shelter, even to an enemy, could create a temporary truce or obligation. Elisha's command to the king of Israel deliberately subverts the expected military response, drawing upon a deeper, divinely inspired ethic that transcends typical geopolitical animosity.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching narrative, culminating in [2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - The End of Syrian Raids"), powerfully illustrates several key themes. Foremost is **Divine Intervention and Protection**, as God actively safeguards His prophet and people, not through conventional military might, but through supernatural means that disarm the enemy. This leads to the profound theme of **Mercy and Kindness to Enemies**, where radical hospitality is chosen over retaliation, echoing the wisdom found in [Proverbs 25:21-22](/proverbs/25-21 "Proverbs 25:21-22 - Feed Your Enemy"), which advises, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." The surprising outcome underscores **The Power of Peace and Disarmament**, demonstrating that genuine and lasting peace can sometimes be achieved not through conquest, but through compassion, unexpected generosity, and adherence to divine wisdom. Finally, **Elisha's Obedience and Wisdom** is highlighted, as his counsel, inspired by God, showcases his role as a true prophet who understands God's heart for reconciliation and the strategic power of a peaceful response.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Provision (Hebrew, _’ōkhel'_):** This word refers to food, sustenance, or provisions. The use of "great provision" (מִכְבָּר מָזוֹן, *mikbār māzôn*) emphasizes the abundance and generosity of the meal prepared for the Syrian soldiers. It was not a mere subsistence meal but a lavish feast, signifying an intentional act of hospitality that went beyond basic needs, aiming to impress and disarm.
* **Bands (Hebrew, _gĕdûdîm'_):** This term refers to raiding parties or marauding groups. It specifically denotes the small, mobile units of Syrian soldiers that had been harassing Israel through ambushes and plunder, as described in [2 Kings 6:8-10](/2_kings/6-8 "2 Kings 6:8-10 - Syrian Raiding Parties"). The cessation of these specific "bands" highlights the direct and immediate impact of Elisha's unconventional strategy on the nature of the Syrian threat.
* **Came no more (Hebrew, _lō’ yāsĕpû'_):** Literally meaning "they did not add" or "they did not continue," this phrase signifies a definitive cessation or discontinuation. It indicates that these particular raiding parties, which had been a persistent nuisance and threat, stopped their incursions entirely for a significant period following this event. It speaks to the profound and lasting effect of the act of mercy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he prepared great provision for them:"** This clause describes the king of Israel's direct obedience to Elisha's command. Instead of executing the captured Syrian soldiers, the king, at the prophet's instruction, provides a lavish meal. This act is extraordinary, defying conventional military and cultural norms for dealing with enemies. It signifies a deliberate choice of radical hospitality over retaliation, demonstrating a trust in God's unconventional strategy.
* **"and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away,"** After the feast, the Syrian soldiers are not imprisoned or harmed but are freely released. This emphasizes the complete and unconditional nature of the hospitality. The act of eating and drinking together, especially a shared meal, was a powerful symbol of peace and covenant in the ancient Near East, further solidifying the message of non-aggression.
* **"and they went to their master."** The Syrian soldiers return to their king, presumably carrying the report of their miraculous capture, their blindness and healing, and the astonishing, merciful treatment they received in Samaria. Their return underscores the effectiveness of Elisha's plan, as they are now witnesses to God's power and Israel's unexpected grace.
* **"So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel."** This is the profound and surprising outcome of the entire episode. The small, harassing raiding parties that had plagued Israel ceased their activity. This immediate and tangible result validates Elisha's divine wisdom and God's unconventional strategy. It demonstrates that genuine peace and security can sometimes be achieved not through force, but through acts of radical kindness and mercy that disarm the enemy's hostility.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [2 Kings 6:8-23](/2_kings/6-8 "2 Kings 6:8-23 - Elisha and the Syrian Army") is rich with literary devices, culminating in verse 23. **Irony** is prominent throughout, as the Syrian army sent to capture Elisha is instead led by him, blinded, directly into the heart of Israelite territory, only to be fed rather than executed. This creates a powerful **contrast** between the expected outcome of warfare and the actual, divinely orchestrated resolution. The lavish **feast** itself functions as a potent **symbolism** of peace and reconciliation, turning a situation of imminent destruction into one of surprising grace. The entire episode serves as a **narrative climax** and **resolution** to the immediate conflict, demonstrating God's power to disarm enemies through unconventional means, leading to a period of peace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account in [2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - The Power of Mercy") profoundly illustrates God's sovereignty and His counter-intuitive methods for achieving His purposes. It challenges human wisdom, which typically dictates retaliation against enemies, by showcasing divine wisdom that advocates for radical mercy and hospitality. This act of kindness, far from being a sign of weakness, is presented as a powerful spiritual strategy that disarms hostility and leads to peace. It underscores the biblical principle of overcoming evil with good, demonstrating that God's ways often transcend conventional human understanding of power and conflict resolution. The cessation of the Syrian raids is a tangible testament to the efficacy of divine love and grace, even towards adversaries.

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

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 2 Kings 6:23 offers profound lessons for believers today on how to respond to hostility and conflict in our lives. It challenges us to reconsider our natural inclinations toward retribution or self-preservation when faced with those who oppose us. Instead, God's strategy, as exemplified here, can involve acts of radical kindness, generosity, and mercy, which possess a transformative power to disarm hostility, break cycles of violence, and open doors for reconciliation. This passage encourages us to trust in God's unconventional methods, understanding that true victory and lasting peace might look different than what the world expects, aligning more with the principle of overcoming evil with good. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of grace, even towards those we perceive as enemies, trusting that God can use our acts of love to bring about surprising and lasting peace in our personal relationships, communities, and even broader societal conflicts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the king's initial impulse to kill the Syrians contrast with Elisha's divine instruction, and what does this teach us about God's ways versus human ways?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to respond to conflict with retaliation or anger, and how might radical hospitality be a more effective, God-honoring approach?**
* **What does the lasting peace resulting from this act of mercy suggest about the long-term impact of choosing grace over vengeance?**

### FAQ
**Why did Elisha instruct the king to feed the Syrians instead of killing them?**

Answer: Elisha's instruction was a direct revelation of God's wisdom, which often operates counter-intuitively to human logic. It served multiple purposes: to demonstrate God's power and mercy to both Israel and Syria, to break the cycle of violence, and to achieve peace through unconventional means. Executing the blinded soldiers would have been a conventional military response, but it would likely have led to further cycles of revenge. By showing radical hospitality, Elisha, guided by God, aimed to disarm the enemy's hostility, not just their physical capacity for warfare, and reveal a divine character that extends grace even to adversaries. This act of mercy was more potent than any military victory.

**Did this act of kindness permanently end all conflict with Syria?**

Answer: While [2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - Cessation of Raids") states that "the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel," this refers specifically to the cessation of these small, harassing raiding parties. It did not permanently end all large-scale conflicts between Israel and Aram (Syria). Later in [2 Kings 7](/2_kings/7 "2 Kings 7 - Siege of Samaria"), for example, Samaria is besieged by a much larger Syrian army under Ben-Hadad, indicating that broader geopolitical tensions and wars continued. However, for a significant period, the specific type of continuous, low-level harassment by these "bands" ceased, demonstrating a tangible and immediate impact of Elisha's strategy on that particular form of aggression.

**How does this Old Testament account relate to the New Testament concept of "turning the other cheek" or loving one's enemies?**

Answer: The event in [2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - Old Testament Mercy") serves as a powerful Old Testament precedent and illustration of the principles later explicitly taught by Jesus and the apostles. While the Mosaic Law contained provisions for justice and retribution, it also emphasized compassion, even for strangers and enemies (e.g., [Exodus 23:4-5](/exodus/23-4 "Exodus 23:4-5 - Helping an Enemy's Animal")). Elisha's actions align perfectly with the spirit of Jesus' command to "[love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")" ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")) and Paul's instruction to "[overcome evil with good](/romans/12-21 "Romans 12:21 - Overcome Evil with Good")" by feeding a hungry enemy ([Romans 12:20-21](/romans/12-20 "Romans 12:20-21 - Feed Your Enemy")). This narrative demonstrates that God's character of mercy and His desire for reconciliation, even with adversaries, is consistent throughout redemptive history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The radical hospitality and peace achieved in [2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - Foreshadowing Christ's Reconciliation") find their ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Elisha's act of feeding the enemy, disarming hostility through mercy rather than violence, powerfully foreshadows Christ's redemptive work on the cross. While we were God's enemies, alienated by our sin ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Death")), Christ did not meet us with judgment but with an unparalleled act of self-giving love. He prepared a "feast" of salvation, not for friends, but for those who opposed Him, offering reconciliation and peace through His broken body and shed blood ([Isaiah 25:6-8](/isaiah/25-6 "Isaiah 25:6-8 - The Feast for All Peoples")). Through His death, Jesus disarmed the powers of darkness and reconciled humanity to God, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility and creating peace ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Disarming the Powers"); [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). The temporary cessation of Syrian raids in [2 Kings 6](/2_kings/6 "2 Kings 6 - Elisha's Ministry") points to the eternal peace and reconciliation offered in the new covenant, where Christ, the true Lamb of God, takes away the sin of the world and invites all, even His former enemies, to partake in His abundant life ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Lamb of God"); [Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")).

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

2 Kings 5:2

And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

2 Kings 24:2

And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

Luke 10:29

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

Luke 10:37

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Luke 6:35

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.

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.

2 Kings 6:9

And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.