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. So the king prepared a great feast for them,The king of Israel answered a military threat with unexpected generosity. In the ancient Near East, a shared meal was a powerful act of hospitality and reconciliation, especially toward former enemies. The feast honored the God who had delivered Israel without bloodshed and demonstrated that mercy could accomplish what violence could not. The king’s conduct anticipates the command to love one’s enemies and to overcome evil with good (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:21). Pro 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,…
Mat 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray…
Rom 12:20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;…
and after they had finished eating and drinking, The meal provided tangible proof that the Arameans had been spared and received in peace. Eating and drinking together could confirm peaceful relations and remove fear of immediate retaliation. Israel’s king did not merely release captives; he treated them as guests, displaying a mercy that reflected God’s own patience toward those who had opposed Him. Gen 24:54 Then he and the men with him ate and drank…
Gen 31:54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain…
he sent them away, The soldiers were released unharmed rather than imprisoned or executed. This action followed Elisha’s instruction and left the Arameans to report both God’s power and Israel’s undeserved kindness to their king. Proverbs 25:21–22 later expresses the same principle: giving food and drink to an enemy may lead to shame, repentance, and peace. Gen 24:56 But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD…
1Ki 20:34 Ben-hadad said to him, “I will restore the cities my father……
and they returned to their master. The returning soldiers carried the testimony of their supernatural defeat at Dothan and their gracious treatment in Samaria. Their return showed that Israel’s security rested ultimately in the Lord, who could restrain hostile powers without requiring Israel to destroy them. Gen 24:61 Then Rebekah and her servant girls got ready…
Luk 17:7-10 Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing…
And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again. Aramean raiding bands ceased their incursions after this event, apparently deterred by the Lord’s intervention and Israel’s mercy. The statement does not mean that all later conflict with Aram ended, since Ben-hadad soon gathered a larger army against Samaria (2 Kings 6:24). Yet God granted Israel a season of relief, showing that He is able to establish peace and defend His people in ways that surpass human strength. 2Ki 13:4-5 Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD,…
1Ki 5:4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest…
2Ch 20:30 Then Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God…
Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaThe prophet of God who plays a central role in this account, demonstrating God's power and mercy. 2. The King of IsraelThe unnamed king who follows Elisha's counsel to show mercy to the captured Aramean soldiers. 3. Aramean RaidersThe enemy soldiers who were captured and then released by the Israelites, leading to a cessation of their raids. 4. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where the events take place. 5. The FeastA significant event where the captured enemies are treated with kindness, symbolizing mercy and grace. Teaching Points Mercy Over RetributionThe account highlights the power of mercy over vengeance. Instead of killing the captured soldiers, the Israelites show them kindness, which leads to peace. God's Sovereignty and ProvisionElisha's role in guiding the king of Israel demonstrates God's sovereignty and provision in times of conflict. Trusting in God's plan can lead to unexpected resolutions. The Power of KindnessThe act of preparing a feast for the enemy illustrates the transformative power of kindness. It can change hearts and lead to peace. Obedience to Godly CounselThe king's decision to follow Elisha's advice shows the importance of heeding godly counsel, which can lead to outcomes that align with God's will. Breaking the Cycle of ViolenceBy choosing a path of peace, the Israelites break the cycle of violence, setting an example for resolving conflicts in our own lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the treatment of the Aramean raiders in 2 Kings 6:23 reflect the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament about loving your enemies? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of showing mercy over seeking retribution in our personal conflicts today? 3. How does the account of Elisha and the Aramean raiders demonstrate the importance of listening to and following godly counsel? 4. What are some modern-day examples where acts of kindness have led to peace or reconciliation between opposing parties? 5. How can we, as Christians, break cycles of violence and hostility in our communities, following the example set in this passage? Connections to Other Scriptures Romans 12:20This verse speaks about feeding your enemy, which aligns with the act of preparing a feast for the Aramean soldiers. Proverbs 25:21-22These verses echo the theme of showing kindness to one's enemies, which is demonstrated by the Israelites' actions. Matthew 5:44Jesus' teaching on loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you is exemplified in this account. Luke 6:27-28Jesus instructs to do good to those who hate you, which is mirrored in the treatment of the Aramean raiders. People Aram, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Elisha, Shaphat, SyriansPlaces Dothan, Jordan River, Samaria, SyriaTopics Added, Aram, Aramaeans, Arameans, Ate, Bands, Drank, Drink, Drinking, Drunk, Eat, Eaten, Eating, Feast, Finished, Israel's, Marauding, Master, Prepared, Prepareth, Provision, Raiding, Raids, Ready, Repast, Returned, Stopped, Syria, Syrians, Territory, TroopsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 6:23 4410 banquets 2 Kings 6:18-23 1416 miracles, nature of 2 Kings 6:21-24 8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah Library Young Man! a Prayer for You
THIS YOUNG MAN waited upon a prophet: he could not have had a more instructive occupation; yet his eyes needed to be opened. He was well disposed towards good things, for the tone of his language to his master shows that he was heartily at one with him; but his eyes were not yet half opened. Being in great alarm for his master's safety, he ran to him to warn him: good servants should be their master's best friends. In return, his believing master prays for him. If we desire the good of our servants, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891Of the Practice of Piety in Fasting.
There are divers kinds of fasting--First, A constrained fast, as when men either have not food to eat, as in the famine of Samaria (2 Kings vi. 25;) or, having food, cannot eat it for heaviness or sickness, as it befel them who were in the ship with St. Paul (Acts xxvii. 33.) This is rather famine than fasting. Secondly, A natural fast, which we undertake physically, for the health of our body. Thirdly, A civil fast, which the magistrate enjoins for the better maintenance of the commonwealth. Fourthly, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Whether a Mann is Bound to Correct his Prelate?
Objection 1: It would seem that no man is bound to correct his prelate. For it is written (Ex. 19:12): "The beast that shall touch the mount shall be stoned," [*Vulg.: 'Everyone that shall touch the mount, dying he shall die.'] and (2 Kings 6:7) it is related that the Lord struck Oza for touching the ark. Now the mount and the ark signify our prelates. Therefore prelates should not be corrected by their subjects. Objection 2: Further, a gloss on Gal. 2:11, "I withstood him to the face," adds: "as …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
God not only created everything, but everything which He created is subject to His immediate control. God rules over the works of His hands. God governs the creatures He has made. God reigns with universal dominion. When He pleased, the sun and moon stood still (Josh. 10:12, 13); and at a word from Him the sun went backward ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz (Is. 38:8). At His command the Red Sea ceased to flow, and at His command it resumed its normal course (Ex. 14). In response to the prayer of Elisha, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Godhood of God The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those Discouragements which He must Expect to Meet when Entering on a Religious Course.
1. Christ has instructed his disciples to expect opposition and difficulties in the way to heaven.--2. Therefore a more particular view of them is taken, as arising from the remainder of indwelling sin.--3. From the world, and especially from former sinful companions.--4. From the temptations and suggest ions of Satan.--5, 6. The Christian is animated and encouraged, by various considerations, to oppose them; particularly by the presence of God; the aids of Christ; the example of others, who, though …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God Distinguished by Certain Marks from Fictitious Gods.
1. The mere fact of creation should lead us to acknowledge God, but to prevent our falling away to Gentile fictions, God has been pleased to furnish a history of the creation. An impious objection, Why the world was not created sooner? Answer to it. Shrewd saying of an old man. 2. For the same reason, the world was created, not in an instant, but in six days. The order of creation described, showing that Adam was not created until God had, with infinite goodness made ample provision for him. 3. The …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Helpless State of the Sinner under Condemnation.
1, 2. The sinner urged to consider how he can be saved from this impending ruin.--3. Not by any thing he can offer.--4. Nor by any thing he can endure.--5. Nor by any thing hr can do in the course of future duty.--6-8. Nor by any alliance with fellow-sinners on earth or in hell.--9. Nor by any interposition or intercession of angels or saints in his favor. Hint of the only method to be afterwards more largely explained. The lamentation of a sinner in this miserable condition. 1. SINNER, thou hast …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments May one Lose the Blessing?
The question trembles from many a lip--If I get the blessing, may I lose it? Most certainly. But, glory be to God! He has made ample provision for failure. There is no reason why we should fail; God has made ample provision against failure; we must not expect to fail; but in case we do fail, provision has been made. The most prolific cause of loss is disobedience--disobedience either to one of God's written commands, or to the inward promptings of His Holy Spirit. "The Holy Ghost whom God hath …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour, …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 6:23 NIV2 Kings 6:23 NLT2 Kings 6:23 ESV2 Kings 6:23 NASB2 Kings 6:23 KJV
2 Kings 6:23 Commentaries
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