2 Kings 6:23

he prepared great provision for them We can see from the use of the phrase -bread and water" in other passages that the words embrace all kinds of food, and hence that Elisha's injunction was equivalent to saying -Feed them well, and let them go". Cf. for the phrase Deuteronomy 23:4; 1 Kings 18:4 and 1 Samuel 25:11. In the last passage the extent of meaning in the words may be estimated by the gifts which, in verse 18, Abigail takes to David and his men.

the bands of Syria i.e. these marauding parties, protected by the king of Syria's authority.

came no more The generous treatment had its effect. Josephus (Ant.IX. 44) says -King Adad was wonderstruck at the strange occurrence, as well as the manifestation and the power of the God of the Israelites, and at the prophet in whom the divine spirit was so manifestly present, hence he determined through fear of Elisha no longer to attack the king of Israel secretly, but decided to make open war".