“Wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow?”
The full verse · 2 Kings 6:22 · KJV
And he , Thou shalt not them: wouldest thou those whom thou hast taken with thy and with thy ? and them, that they may and , and to their .
Asked by
Asked to
The king of Israel (likely Jehoram, son of Ahab) who had asked Elisha whether he should kill the blinded Syrian soldiers brought to Samaria.
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionElisha asks rather than simply commanding to expose the king’s moral inconsistency; these men were not defeated by Israel’s military prowess but delivered by divine intervention, making their execution a violation of proper treatment of captives and an abuse of God’s miraculous provision.
The Response
What Scripture recordsThe king of Israel obeyed Elisha’s instruction and set bread and water before the Syrian soldiers, allowing them to eat and drink before returning to their master (2 Kings 6:23).
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyElisha’s question challenges the king’s assumption that divine delivery equals permission to destroy. The prophet distinguishes between enemies captured through human military effort, whom ancient custom allowed Israel to execute, and enemies delivered supernaturally as recipients of mercy. The Hebrew construction emphasizes the contrast: “those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow” highlights what the king had not done. These men arrived in Samaria through miraculous blindness, not Israeli military superiority. Elisha frames his rebuke as a question to force the king to recognize the ethical distinction himself. By questioning rather than commanding, the prophet exposes the moral logic: unearned victory demands gracious response. The question carries theological weight, how Israel treats enemies delivered by God reveals whether they understand His character. Elisha’s restraint transforms a potential massacre into a testimony of Yahweh’s mercy that transcends national boundaries.
When you have power over someone who wronged you, resist the reflex to punish. The king wanted to execute men who had been his enemies, but God had delivered them for a different purpose. Your restraint in moments of advantage reveals whether you trust God’s larger strategy or demand immediate satisfaction. Paul writes, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him” (Romans 12:20). Mercy disarms hostility more effectively than retaliation. When you choose kindness over vengeance, you participate in God’s method of transforming enemies into friends through undeserved grace.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Hast thou rent thy clothes?”
“What have I to do with thee?”
“This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for?”
“See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head?”