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.
So the king prepared a great feast for them. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, he sent them back to their own country. From that time on, the Syrian raiding parties stopped attacking the land of Israel.
The writer is showing how kindness and hospitality toward enemies can bring about peace - after being treated well, the Syrian raiders stopped their attacks on Israel.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 2 Kings, the prophet Elisha miraculously blinded a Syrian army sent to capture him and led them into the heart of Israel, where he prayed for their sight to be restored. The king of Israel, following Elisha's guidance, chose to show kindness by providing a feast for these enemies rather than attacking them, which led to their peaceful release. This event took place during a period of frequent conflicts between Israel and Syria, highlighting God's intervention and the unexpected outcomes of mercy in ancient warfare.
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