2 Kings 5:22

And he said, All [is] well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.

And he said {H559}, All is well {H7965}. My master {H113} hath sent {H7971} me, saying {H559}, Behold, even now there be come {H935} to me from mount {H2022} Ephraim {H669} two {H8147} young men {H5288} of the sons {H1121} of the prophets {H5030}: give {H5414} them, I pray thee, a talent {H3603} of silver {H3701}, and two {H8147} changes {H2487} of garments {H899}.

"Yes," he replied. "My master sent me with this message: 'Two young men have just now come to me, guild prophets from the hills of Efrayim. Would you be kind enough to give them a talent of silver [sixty-six pounds] and two changes of clothes?"

“Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘I have just now discovered that two young men from the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’”

And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there are come to me from the hill-country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets; give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of raiment.

Commentary

2 Kings 5:22 captures a pivotal moment of deception by Gehazi, the servant of the prophet Elisha. This verse records Gehazi's fabricated story to Naaman, the Syrian commander whom Elisha had just healed of leprosy, in an attempt to gain personal wealth.

Context of 2 Kings 5:22

The broader narrative of 2 Kings chapter 5 details the miraculous healing of Naaman, a powerful but leprous Syrian general, by the prophet Elisha. After his healing, Naaman offered Elisha lavish gifts, but Elisha steadfastly refused them, emphasizing that God's grace is not for sale (2 Kings 5:16). However, Gehazi, witnessing this, became consumed by greed. Unknown to Elisha, Gehazi pursued Naaman's chariot and, upon catching up, invented a story about Elisha needing a talent of silver and two changes of garments for two young men, "sons of the prophets," who had supposedly just arrived from Mount Ephraim. This verse is Gehazi's cunning lie to Naaman, setting the stage for his eventual punishment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Deceit and Greed: The primary theme is Gehazi's overwhelming desire for material gain, leading him to lie and betray the trust placed in him. His actions stand in stark contrast to Elisha's integrity and selflessness.
  • Consequences of Sin: This verse foreshadows the serious repercussions of Gehazi's actions. His attempt to profit from God's miraculous work ultimately leads to him being afflicted with Naaman's leprosy (2 Kings 5:27).
  • Integrity vs. Corruption: The narrative highlights the stark difference between Elisha, who sought only God's glory and refused payment, and Gehazi, who sought personal enrichment, tarnishing the reputation of God's work.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "All is well" (Hebrew: shalom) is a common greeting, but here it serves as a deceptive assurance from Gehazi to Naaman, masking his true intentions. The "sons of the prophets" refers to groups or communities of prophetic students or disciples, who were often poor. This detail adds a layer of plausibility to Gehazi's fabricated story, as it would be reasonable for Elisha to assist such individuals.

Practical Application

The story of Gehazi serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of greed and dishonesty, especially for those involved in spiritual service. It teaches us several valuable lessons:

  • The Peril of Greed: Unchecked desire for wealth can lead to severe moral compromise and spiritual decay.
  • The Importance of Integrity: Our actions, especially when representing God, must be characterized by honesty and transparency. Lack of integrity can damage not only our own lives but also the witness of God's work.
  • Sin's Ripple Effect: Gehazi's sin was not just against Naaman or Elisha, but against God, and it had immediate, devastating consequences for him and his descendants. It reminds us that our choices have significant impact.

This verse encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of contentment and integrity, trusting in God's provision rather than resorting to dishonest means for personal gain.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 5:5

    And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand [pieces] of gold, and ten changes of raiment.

  • Joshua 24:33

    And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill [that pertained to] Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.

  • Exodus 38:24

    All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy [place], even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.

  • Exodus 38:28

    And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.

  • 1 Kings 20:39

    And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:16

    But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:18

    I desired Titus, and with [him] I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? [walked we] not in the same steps?
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