Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 6:22
And he answered, Thou shalt not smite [them]: wouldest 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 go to their master.
22. wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive ] The prophet points out that the men are not even captives whom the king himself has taken. Had they been so, yet the laws of war would have forbidden their slaughter at such a time and in cold blood. Much more is it unlawful to slay these, who are God’s prisoners. Some have preferred to take the sentence as not interrogative. ‘Those whom thou hadst taken prisoners thou mightest be allowed to slay, but not these.’ Deu 20:13 sanctions the slaying prisoners of war; but it is doubtful whether the grammar of the original in this verse can be taken as anything but interrogative.
set bread and water before them ] It is manifest that the prophet was setting forth a higher degree of humanity than was usual towards prisoners. We need not therefore be surprised, if in the former clause of the verse he does not speak according to the sterner precept of Deuteronomy, which was laid down in order that the idolaters might be exterminated from Canaan.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Wouldest thou smite … – It is doubtful whether this sentence is really interrogative. Others translate – Smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword, etc. A contrast is intended between ordinary captives – those made with the sword and bow – and these particular prisoners who have been given into the kings hand by God. The former, Jehoram is told, he may slay, if he pleases Deu 20:13, the latter, he is informed, he must not slay (compare the marginal reference).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 22. Whom thou hast taken captive] Those who in open battle either lay down their arms, or are surrounded, and have their retreat cut off, are entitled to their lives, much more those who are thus providentially put into thy hand, without having been in actual hostility against thee. Give them meat and drink, and send them home to their master, and let them thus know that thou fearest him not, and art incapable of doing an ungenerous or unmanly action.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It is against the laws of humanity, and custom of war, to kill captives, though thou thyself hast taken them with thy own sword and bow, which may seem to give thee some colour of right to destroy them; but much more unworthy will it be in cold blood to kill these, whom not thy arms, but Gods miraculous providence, hath put into thy hands.
Set bread and water before them, i.e. give them meat and drink, which may refresh and strengthen them for their charity, in doing good to their enemies, which was much to the honour of the true religion; and of no less prudence, that hereby the hearts of the Syrians might be both mollified towards the Israelites, and afraid to oppose that people who had such an invincible Protector.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he answered, thou shalt not smite them,…. For they were not his, but the prophet’s captives, or rather the Lord’s:
wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? when soldiers are made prisoners of war, it is contrary to humanity, to the laws of nature and nations, to kill them in cold blood, and much more those who were taken not by his sword and bow, but by the power and providence of God:
set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master; the king of Syria, and report the miracles wrought, and the good usage they met with, when in the hand of an enemy, fed and let go; which would be more to the glory of the God of Israel, and more agreeable to the character of a king of Israel, reckoned merciful, and more serviceable to the civil good of the land of Israel, as well as more to the honour of the prophet and true religion, see Ro 12:20.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(22) Thou shalt not.Or, thou must not.
Wouldest thou smite . . . thy bow?The Hebrew order is, An quos ceperis glado et arcu percussuruses? (Comp. Gen. 48:22.) Elisha says, These men are virtually prisoners of war, and therefore are not to be slain in cold blood.
The LXX., Targum, Syriac, and Vulg., ignore the interrogative particle. The Targum and Syriac render, Lo those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword, &c., thou dost (or mayst) kill. (Comp. Deu. 20:13.) The Vulg., neque enim cepisti eos, ut percutias, and the Arabic, Didst thou take them captive with thy sword, &c., that thou shouldest slay them? come to the same thing. These renderings are interesting, as they make Elisha deny the kings right of disposal of these prisoners of Jehovah. The purpose of the miracle would have been frustrated by killing the Syrians. That purpose was to force their king and them to acknowledge the might of the true God.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. Wouldest thou smite That is, according to many interpreters, thou wouldest not smite those whom thou hadst made prisoners of war, much less these whom God has miraculously delivered into thy hands. But it is a fact that the law authorized the Israelites to destroy their prisoners of war, (Deu 20:13,) and it was often actually done, and in more than one instance they were severely blamed for neglecting to do it. Better, therefore, with the Septuagint, Chaldee, Syriac, and Vulgate versions, not to render it as a question, but thus: That which thou hast captured with thy sword and with thy bow thou mayest smite; set bread and water before these, etc. That is, do not treat these who have been so marvellously delivered into thy hands as ordinary prisoners of war; feast them well and send them back, and thou shalt accomplish a far greater victory. This was an anticipation of the Gospel rule, “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Rom 12:20.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 6:22. Wouldest thou smite those, &c.? Wouldest thou smite them as if thou hadst taken them, &c.? Houbigant. Elisha here urges, that it would not only be more merciful, but more prudent and politic, to spare and treat them kindly; for thus, upon their return, they would become so many preachers, as it were, of the power and greatness of the God of Israel; and, probably, not only desist themselves, but dissuade others likewise, from opposing a people who had so invincible a protector.
REFLECTIONS.Till Elisha was secured, the king of Syria despairs of success; and therefore, to effect this,
1. He sends an armed force to surround Dothan by night, where he understood the prophet was: a foolish attempt! Could he who revealed his designs against the king be ignorant of this upon himself?
2. Elisha’s servant in the morning runs to his master in a great fright, to acquaint him with the danger, as if now they were all undone and lost. Note; Weak believers are intimidated by the approach of danger; and, because they feel their own impotence, are ready to despair of God’s power and grace.
3. Elisha quickly subdues his fears. One comfortable word of encouragement points him to a safe protector; and, that his weak faith might be helped by sight, at Elisha’s prayer the servant’s eyes are opened, and he beheld the angelic host, appearing like chariots and horses of fire round the city. Note; (1.) Whoever are our foes, if God be for us, we have strength and numbers on our side. (2.) To encourage the fearful, to support the weak, and comfort the feeble-minded, is the office of every faithful minister. (3.) They who have the eye of faith opened, behold cherubic legions as their guard, and the King of Glory at their head. (4.) We have need to pray continually for ourselves and others, that the eyes of our minds may be daily more and more enlightened.
4. He who prayed for the opening of the eyes of his servants, succeeds as effectually for the closing the eyes of his enemies. Bewildered in their apprehensions, they no longer knew either the place or the prophet, but gave themselves up to him as their guide, he promising to conduct them to the man they sought: and when he had brought them into Samaria, as men awakened from a dream, they beheld their danger when there was no possibility of their escape. Note; (1.) It is just in God to give up those to the blindness of their own hearts, who choose not the knowledge of the truth, that they may be saved. (2.) How terrible will be the sinner’s disappointment, when led captive by the devil at his will; buoyed up with foolish hopes of heaven, he marches confidently on, till death awakens him from his lethargy, and he is astonished to find himself in hell.
5. Elisha, merciful as mighty, dismisses them in peace, after the most hospitable entertainment. The king of Israel is eager to improve the advantage by destroying his enemies, but Elisha restrains him. Had they been prisoners of war, they were entitled to mercy; how much more when not his arm, but God’s providence, had brought them into his power? rather let him conquer them by his clemency and generosity, and, as they were now laid at his feet for mercy, entertain them nobly, and dismiss them peaceably. The king readily complies, and they return as much astonished at their generous treatment, as convinced of the impossibility of crushing those whom God so protected. Returning, they made no more attempts to seize the prophet; or perhaps these bands, when a new attack was meditated, refuse to serve any more against the people of Israel. Note; (1.) Not only are we enjoined to forgive our enemies, but to do good to those who hate us. Hard the task, but almighty grace is sufficient for it! (2.) They who will not be overcome with kindness and love, are desperately hardened indeed.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ki 6:22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite [them]: wouldest 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 go to their master.
Ver. 22. Thou shalt not smite them. ] Though Elisha well knew that they came down to Dothan with bloody purposes toward him. This was “not to be overcome of evil,” as the next was to “overcome evil with good.”
Set bread and water before them.
And go to their master.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
wouldest: Deu 20:11-16, 2Ch 28:8-13
thy sword: Gen 48:22, Jos 24:12, Psa 44:6, Hos 1:7, Hos 2:18
set bread: Pro 25:21, Pro 25:22, Mat 5:44, Rom 12:20, Rom 12:21
Reciprocal: Deu 9:9 – I neither 1Ki 18:4 – fed them 2Ch 28:15 – gave them