2 Kings 6:23

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

2 Kings 6:23 marks the peaceful and impactful conclusion of a miraculous encounter between the prophet Elisha, the king of Israel, and the Syrian army. This verse highlights a powerful display of divine mercy and its profound effect on international relations, as the king of Israel, under Elisha's guidance, chose radical hospitality over retaliation.

Context

This verse is the culmination of events described from 2 Kings 6:8-22. The king of Syria had repeatedly sent raiding parties against Israel, but Elisha, through divine revelation, continually warned the king of Israel, foiling the Syrian ambushes. Enraged, the Syrian king sent a large army to Dothan to capture Elisha. However, Elisha prayed for the Syrian soldiers to be struck with blindness and then led them, in their confused state, directly into Samaria, the capital city of Israel. Instead of allowing the king of Israel to execute these enemy soldiers, Elisha instructed him to prepare a great feast for them. Verse 23 describes this act of kindness and its surprising, lasting outcome.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention and Protection: The entire narrative powerfully illustrates God's active protection of His prophet and His people. God's power is demonstrated not through destructive force, but through supernatural means that ultimately disarm the enemy through unexpected mercy.
  • Mercy and Kindness to Enemies: The most prominent theme is the command to show radical hospitality and kindness to those who sought to harm them. This act of grace goes against human instinct and highlights a profound biblical principle of overcoming evil with good. This echoes the wisdom found in Proverbs 25:21-22: "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink..."
  • The Power of Peace and Disarmament: The immediate and lasting result of this unconventional act of kindness was that "the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel." This demonstrates that genuine and lasting peace can sometimes be achieved not through military conquest, but through compassion, unexpected generosity, and adherence to divine wisdom.
  • Elisha's Obedience and Wisdom: Elisha's counsel to the king was inspired by God, showcasing his role as a true prophet who understood God's heart for reconciliation, even with adversaries, and the strategic power of a peaceful response.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bands of Syria" refers to the small raiding parties or marauding groups that had previously harassed Israel. The declaration that they "came no more into the land of Israel" is significant; it signifies a definitive and complete cessation of these incursions. The simplicity of the language in this verse underscores the straightforward and powerful impact of the act of mercy, leading to a tangible and immediate period of peace from Syrian aggression.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound lessons for believers today on how to respond to hostility and conflict. It challenges us to consider that God's ways are often counter-intuitive to human wisdom. Instead of seeking retribution or escalating conflict, God's strategy can involve acts of radical kindness and mercy, which have the power to disarm hostility, break cycles of violence, and open doors for reconciliation. It reminds us that true victory, as seen in this narrative, might look different than what the world expects, aligning more with the principle of overcoming evil with good. This narrative encourages trust in God's unconventional strategies to bring about peace and protection in our personal lives and communities.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 5:2 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Luke 10:37 (3 votes)

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

  • Luke 6:35 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    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.