Melachim Bais 13:19

19 And the Ish HaElohim was in wrath with him, and said, Thou shouldest have struck chamesh or shesh pe’amim; then hadst thou struck down Aram till thou hadst completely destroyed it; whereas now thou shalt defeat Aram but 3 pe’amim.

Melachim Bais 13:19 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 13:19

And the man of God was wroth with him
Because he ceased smiting, and smote no oftener; for it was revealed to the prophet, by an impulse upon his mind, that by the number of times he smote on the ground, it would be known how often he should get the victory over his enemies; but this was to be left to the king's own will, how often he would smite, and thereby the prophet would know also with what spirit he would pursue his victories, and the advantages he would gain:

and said, thou shouldest have smitten five or six times, then hadst
thou smitten Syria until thou hadst consumed it;
as a nation, as well as routed their several armies:

whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice;
beat them only three times in battle, according to the number of his smitings on the ground.

Melachim Bais 13:19 In-Context

17 And he said, Open the east chalon. And he opened it. Then Elishah said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The khetz (arrow) of the teshuah (salvation) unto Hashem, and the khetz of teshuah against Aram; for thou shalt strike down Aram at Aphek, unto complete destruction.

18 And he said, Take the khitzim (arrows). And he took them. And he said unto Melech Yisroel, Strike the ground. And he struck shalosh pe’amim (three times) and stopped.

19 And the Ish HaElohim was in wrath with him, and said, Thou shouldest have struck chamesh or shesh pe’amim; then hadst thou struck down Aram till thou hadst completely destroyed it; whereas now thou shalt defeat Aram but 3 pe’amim.

20 And Elishah died, and they buried him. And the raiding parties of Mo’av would invade the land at the beginning of the shanah.

21 And it came to pass, as they were burying an ish, that, hinei, they spotted a raiding party; and they cast the ish into the kever of Elishah; and when the ish was let down, and touched the atzmot of Elishah, he revived, and stood up alive on his raglayim.