A time of bitter warfare between the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah unexpectedly transforms into a profound moment of kindness and brotherhood. The leaders of the north recognize that holding their brothers from Judah as prisoners of war is a deep injustice. They understand that despite the ongoing conflict and violence, they remain a single nation and one family, and they refuse to act with cruelty [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Driven purely by a moral awakening rather than any external pressure, they take the initiative to care for the captives and ensure their safe return home.
The specific leaders who step forward to manage this rescue are the heads of the tribe of Ephraim, whose identities were mentioned previously as the very men who urged the public to heed the prophet's warning [רש"י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Once the original captors abandon the prisoners, these leaders step in, taking the captives under their direct protection and authority with the sole intention of helping them [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, מלבי"ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Their care is comprehensive, addressing every basic human need. Using the spoils of war that had been taken, they find clothing for those who have been left completely naked [רש"י, רד"ק, מצודת דוד]. They do not stop at providing garments; they also supply shoes, offer food and water, and soothe the captives by anointing their bodies with oil [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
The journey back to Judah is handled with deep compassion, especially toward the most vulnerable. The leaders guide the group gently [מצודת ציון], ensuring that anyone who is too weak or exhausted to walk is carried on a donkey [רלב"ג, מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In this careful manner, they escort the captives all the way to Jericho, a place known as the city of date palms due to its abundant trees [מצודת ציון]. There, they safely reunite the prisoners with their brothers from the tribe of Judah [מצודת דוד], only then turning back to make their own way home to Samaria.