2 Kings 6:22

22. Wouldest thou smite That is, according to many interpreters, thou wouldest not smite those whom thou hadst made prisoners of war, much less these whom God has miraculously delivered into thy hands. But it is a fact that the law authorized the Israelites to destroy their prisoners of war, (Deuteronomy 20:13,) and it was often actually done, and in more than one instance they were severely blamed for neglecting to do it. Better, therefore, with the Septuagint, Chaldee, Syriac, and Vulgate versions, not to render it as a question, but thus: That which thou hast captured with thy sword and with thy bow thou mayest smite; set bread and water before these, etc. That is, do not treat these who have been so marvellously delivered into thy hands as ordinary prisoners of war; feast them well and send them back, and thou shalt accomplish a far greater victory. This was an anticipation of the Gospel rule, “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20.