Elisha had a perfect chance for vengeance and showed mercy. He had a chance to meet brute force with brute force. Instead, he threw a banquet for his enemies, much to the dismay of those who saw him missing a chance for revenge. He put into practice the words, “If your enemy is hungry to feed him, and if is thirsty give him something to drink.” (Proverbs 20:21 later quoted in Romans 12:20). He made friends out of enemies. That’s what Christ came to do and taught His followers to do.
Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” He answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel. 2 Kings 6:21-23 (NASB)
