Samaria, the city on the hill, is a picture of the believer once dead in sins but alive unto God and seated in heavenly places in Christ. Until they got to the hill, they were blind. The natural man cannot understand the things of God at all. The believer needs to learn of his new position "in Christ" so that the eyes of his understanding may be opened to understand the "mystery"
"And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria." Verse 20.
In their new position on the hill, the eyes of these men who had been enemies were opened. "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Rom. 5:1010For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10). If the death of the Lord Jesus has brought so much blessing, what will His life as a man (our new position in Christ) bring to us who have believed? The "mystery," Eph. 1:8-238Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:8‑23) and 3:8, brings us the full life and blessings forever with the Lord Jesus, the Bridegroom, as He takes His place with His bride, the Church, that we may live with Him in His Father's house.
"And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? 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." Verses 21,22.
The king of Israel had in his hand the host of Syria, his enemies, but they were not to be destroyed. Christ has brought in grace for those who, as ourselves, were enemies and were not deserving of any of the least of His mercies. "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17). What a Savior! We shall praise Him forever for this.
But there's more! Instead of being smitten as they deserved to be, he set bread and water before them. Not only did the Lord Jesus provide eternal sustenance, but He set us free.
"And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel." Verse 23.
What would grace do? Set before them the necessities of life only? No! "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Rom. 8:22For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2). The great provision was the "mystery" laid up since before the foundations of the world, now brought to us through the ministry of Paul and the New Testament prophets.
Why return to their master and his land? They were now at liberty-set free. The believer is sent into the world, where his former master is, to be a witness of the Lord's goodness and mercy to lost sinners. This is our mission until the Lord comes for us.