מלכים ב, פרק ו׳, פסוק כ״ג

A miraculous and extraordinary encounter concludes not with bloodshed, but with an unexpected gesture of hospitality that completely alters the tactical landscape of the conflict. A massive feast is prepared and set out for the enemy soldiers. Beyond simple hospitality, this grand meal carries a deeper purpose, serving as a formal act intended to forge a covenant of peace. Through this singular act of peacemaking, Elisha the prophet achieves far greater security for Israel than all the weapons and military campaigns of King Jehoram [מלבי״ם]. The Aramean soldiers eat and drink, and then return safely to their master, the king of Aram, to report everything they experienced [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Following this event, the Aramean incursions into the land of Israel come to a halt. However, a tension arises in the narrative, as shortly afterward, the king of Aram gathers his entire army to wage war against Israel once again. Commentators resolve this by explaining the nature of the pause in hostilities. One approach suggests that the halt was simply a temporary break for that specific period, driven by the Arameans' fear of entering any territory where Elisha was present [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Another perspective points to a fundamental shift in military strategy rather than a complete end to the war. The Arameans realized that covert infiltrations were entirely futile, as the prophet could see their movements and would inevitably reveal their hidden ambush locations to the Israelites. Consequently, the raids conducted by small, secretive Aramean bands seeking to ambush, murder, and plunder ceased entirely. From that point forward, any conflict initiated by Aram took the form of open, conventional warfare with a fully mobilized army, rather than relying on small, hidden raiding parties [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, מלבי״ם].