2 Kings 6:23

23 So he prepared for them a great feast; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians came no more on raids 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 them he said to Eli'sha, "My father, shall I slay them? Shall I slay them?"

22 He answered, "You shall not slay them. Would you slay those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master."

23 So he prepared for them a great feast; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians came no more on raids into the land of Israel.

24 Afterward Ben-ha'dad king of Syria mustered his entire army, and went up, and besieged Sama'ria.

25 And there was a great famine in Sama'ria, as they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five shekels of silver.