2 Kings 6:23

23 So he prepared a great feast for the Aramean army. After they ate and drank, the king sent them away, and they went home to their master. The soldiers of Aram did not come anymore 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 When the king of Israel saw the Aramean army, he said to Elisha, "My father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?"

22 Elisha answered, "Don't kill them. You wouldn't kill people whom you captured with your sword and bow. Give them food and water, and let them eat and drink and then go home to their master."

23 So he prepared a great feast for the Aramean army. After they ate and drank, the king sent them away, and they went home to their master. The soldiers of Aram did not come anymore into the land of Israel.

24 Later, Ben-Hadad king of Aram gathered his whole army and surrounded and attacked Samaria.

25 There was a shortage of food in Samaria. It was so bad that a donkey's head sold for about two pounds of silver, and half of a pint of dove's dung sold for about two ounces of silver.