2 Kings 6:23

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.

2 Kings 6:23 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 6:23

And he prepared great provision for them
Or a great feast, as the Targum; so obedient was he to the prophet's orders:

and when they had eaten and drank;
and refreshed themselves, which they needed, having marched all night and that morning from place to place:

he sent them away;
that is, the king of Israel dismissed them:

and they went to their master;
the king of Syria, but without the prophet Elisha they were sent to fetch:

so the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel;
not as yet, or for some time; or rather the sense is, that the Syrians came not any more in small bodies, as troops of robbers making excursions, and carrying off booty in a private manner, and by surprise; but afterwards came with a large army in an open hostile manner, as follows.

2 Kings 6:23 In-Context

21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? Shall I smite them?

22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them; would 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 return to their master.

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.

24 And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad, king of Syria, gathered all his host and went up and besieged Samaria.

25 And there was a great famine in Samaria as they besieged it until an ass’s head was sold for eighty pieces of silver and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver.