2 Kings 6:22
And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
The verse belongs to the time when God delivered Elisha after the king of Syria sent an armed force to capture him. It is spoken after that Syrian force had been led blind into the midst of Samaria and their eyes had been opened. Elisha forbids the king of Israel to kill the Syrian captives, for even prisoners he himself had taken with his own sword and bow would not be struck down.
Elisha instead directs that bread and water be set before them so they may eat and drink and then go to their master. The king obeys by preparing great provision for them and sending them away. Mercy toward defeated enemies is thus the proper response to victory. That feeding and release result in the bands of Syria coming no more into Israel, giving Israel freedom from Syrian attacks for a time.