Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 6:23
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.
23. he prepared great provision for them ] We can see from the use of the phrase ‘bread and water’ in other passages that the words embrace all kinds of food, and hence that Elisha’s injunction was equivalent to saying ‘Feed them well, and let them go’. Cf. for the phrase Deu 23:4; 1Ki 18:4 and 1Sa 25:11. In the last passage the extent of meaning in the words may be estimated by the gifts which, in verse 18, Abigail takes to David and his men.
the bands of Syria ] i.e. these marauding parties, protected by the king of Syria’s authority.
came no more ] The generous treatment had its effect. Josephus ( Ant. IX. 44) says ‘King Adad was wonderstruck at the strange occurrence, as well as the manifestation and the power of the God of the Israelites, and at the prophet in whom the divine spirit was so manifestly present, hence he determined through fear of Elisha no longer to attack the king of Israel secretly, but decided to make open war’.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Jehoram did not merely follow the letter of the prophets direction, but understood its spirit and acted accordingly. The plundering bands which had been in the habit of ravaging the territory 2Ki 5:2 ceased their incursions in consequence either of the miracle, or of the kind treatment which Elisha had recommended.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. He prepared great provision for them] These, on the return to their master, could tell him strange things about the power of the God of Israel, and the magnanimity of its king.
So the bands of Syria came no more] Marauding parties were no more permitted by the Syrian king to make inroads upon Israel. And it is very likely that for some considerable time after this, there was no war between these two nations. What is mentioned in the next verse was more than a year afterwards.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He sent them away, refreshed, but disarmed, as is most probable.
The bands of Syria came no more; either,
1. In such a manner, to wit, in small bands, or companies, which might be entrapped, as these had been; but their next attempt was by all open and solemn war, and a conjunction of all their forces, which they still ridiculously conceited would be too hard for the king, and prophet, and God of Israel, notwithstanding their multiplied experiences to the contrary. Or,
2. For some considerable time, until the terror of these examples was got out of their minds.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(23) He.The king of Israel.
Prepared great provision.Or, a great feast. The Hebrew verb (krh) occurs nowhere else in this sense. The noun (krh) is cognate with it, and the root meaning seems to be union: such as takes place at a common meal. Thenius renders krh by das Gastrundi.e., the circle of guests.
So the bands of Syria came no more.The stress lies on the word bands. The Syrians, dreading Elisha, did not make any further clandestine attempts to injure Israel, like those above described, which only involved the despatch of predatory bands. They now resolved to try the fortunes of regular war with the whole strength of their army (2Ki. 6:24). It is evident, therefore, that we must not think of any gratitude on their part for the clemency of Jehoram.
Into the land.Syriac, into the border; Targum, into the border of the land. (Comp. 1Sa. 7:13.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. The bands of Syria came no more Such predatory hordes of Syrian warriors were no longer allowed by the king of Syria to invade the land of Israel. The signal defeat which all his plans and movements met at the hand of Elisha struck him with a terror of the prophet and of his God. But though it ended this predatory kind of warfare, it did not prevent Ben-hadad from a subsequent invasion of Israel with all his host.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 6:23 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.
Ver. 23. So the bands of Syria came no more. ] Those bands did not – though others did; – so much they were wrought upon by this miracle and the prophet’s courtesy. The king of Israel also hath done that by his feast, which he could not so easily have done by his sword. He is eased at least of his bands of brigands. In doing good to our enemies, we do most to ourselves.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
bands = marauding bands.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
he prepared: 1Sa 24:17, 1Sa 24:18, 2Ch 28:15, Pro 25:21, Pro 25:22, Mat 5:47, Luk 6:35, Luk 10:29-37
So the bands: That is, for a considerable time. What is mentioned in the next verse was more than a year afterwards. See note on 2Ki 6:8, 2Ki 6:9, 2Ki 5:2, 2Ki 24:2
Reciprocal: 2Sa 4:2 – captains 1Ki 18:4 – fed them 2Ki 13:20 – the bands
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 6:23. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away Refreshed, but disarmed, as is most probable. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel For some considerable time, came no more as yet, as Dr. Waterland reads it; not until the memory and influence of these examples were gone out of their minds: or they came no more upon this errand, to take Elisha: they saw it was to no purpose to attempt that; nor would any of their bands be persuaded to make an assault on so great and good a man. The most glorious victory over an enemy is to turn him into a friend.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
6:23 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 {m} more into the land of Israel.
(m) For this gentle intreaty and the miracle wrought by the prophet, did more for peace than if they had been overcome in battle for they did not return at that time to fight against Israel, or in that king’s days.