2 Kings 6:22

And he said: “You should not strike them. For you did not capture them with your sword or bow, so that you might strike them. Instead, set bread and water before them, so that they may eat and drink, and then go to their lord.”

Catholic Public Domain Version

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

21And the king of Israel, when he had seen them, said to Elisha, “My father, should I not strike them?”

23And a great preparation of foods was placed before them. And they ate and drank. And he dismissed them. And they went away to their lord. And the robbers of Syria no longer came into the land of Israel.

Read all of 2 Kings 6

Cross References

Deuteronomy 20:11If they receive it, and open the gates to you, then all the people who are in it shall be saved, and they shall serve you by paying tribute.

2 Chronicles 28:8And the sons of Israel seized, from their brothers, two hundred thousand women, boys, and girls, and immense plunder. And they took it away to Samaria.

Psalms 44:6Your arrows are sharp; the people will fall under you, with the hearts of the enemies of the king.

Hosea 1:7Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the Lord their God. And I will not save them by bow and sword and battle and horses and horsemen.”

Matthew 5:44But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you.

Matthew Henry on 2 Kings 6:14-24

13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. 14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. 15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more… Read the whole commentary →

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Study 2 Kings 6:22