2 Kings 5:21

So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw [him] running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, [Is] all well?

So Gehazi {H1522} followed {H7291} after {H310} Naaman {H5283}. And when Naaman {H5283} saw {H7200} him running {H7323} after {H310} him, he lighted down {H5307} from the chariot {H4818} to meet {H7125} him, and said {H559}, Is all well {H7965}?

So Geichazi hurried off after Na'aman. When Na'aman saw someone running after him, he got down from his chariot to meet him and asked, "Is everything all right?"

So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, โ€œIs everything all right?โ€

So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw one running after him, he alighted from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?

Commentary

2 Kings 5:21 describes a pivotal moment in the story of Naaman and Elisha, focusing on Gehazi, Elisha's servant, and his fateful pursuit of the recently healed Syrian general.

Context

Following Naaman's miraculous healing from leprosy by dipping in the Jordan River as instructed by the prophet Elisha, Naaman offered Elisha lavish gifts as a token of gratitude. Elisha, demonstrating divine integrity and refusal to profit from God's work, emphatically declined the gifts. However, Gehazi, Elisha's servant, driven by personal greed and a desire for material wealth, covertly decided to pursue Naaman to secure some of the rejected presents. This verse captures the moment Naaman, a powerful Syrian commander, seeing Gehazi running after him, shows immediate respect and concern by dismounting his chariot to inquire about the urgency of Gehazi's chase, asking, "Is all well?"

Key Themes

  • Greed and Deception: Gehazi's actions are driven by a desire for personal gain, directly contrasting with Elisha's selflessness. This highlights the dangers of covetousness and how it can lead to dishonesty and moral compromise.
  • Respect and Courtesy: Naaman, despite his high status, humbling himself by getting off his chariot to meet a servant, demonstrates a profound level of respect and genuine concern. He likely feared that Elisha had changed his mind or that some misfortune had occurred.
  • The Nature of Service: This verse foreshadows the moral failure of a servant who prioritizes personal profit over the integrity of his master's mission and the spiritual principles involved in God's work.

Linguistic Insights

The question, "Is all well?" in Hebrew is "Ha-shalom?" (ื”ึทืฉึธึผืืœื•ึนื). The word shalom (ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื) is far richer than a simple greeting. It encompasses ideas of peace, completeness, well-being, prosperity, and harmony. Naaman's use of this term indicates a deep concern for the welfare of Elisha and his household, or perhaps a premonition that something was amiss that required Gehazi's urgent pursuit. It reflects a genuine desire for assurance that everything was in order.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity, especially when serving others or representing a higher calling. Gehazi's immediate pursuit driven by greed illustrates how easily the love of money can become a root of all evil, leading to deception and ultimately, severe consequences. It also highlights the value of genuine concern and respect in our interactions, as shown by Naaman's courteous response. Our character, even in seemingly private moments, is always under the divine gaze and impacts our spiritual journey and testimony.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 10:25

    And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him].

  • Acts 10:26

    But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

  • Acts 8:31

    And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

  • Luke 7:6

    Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

  • Luke 7:7

    Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

  • 2 Kings 9:17

    And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, [Is it] peace?

  • 2 Kings 9:22

    And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, [Is it] peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts [are so] many?
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