2 Kings 5:23

And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid [them] upon two of his servants; and they bare [them] before him.

And Naaman {H5283} said {H559}, Be content {H2974}, take {H3947} two talents {H3603}. And he urged {H6555} him, and bound {H6696} two {H8147} talents {H3603} of silver {H3701} in two {H8147} bags {H2754}, with two {H8147} changes {H2487} of garments {H899}, and laid {H5414} them upon two {H8147} of his servants {H5288}; and they bare {H5375} them before {H6440} him.

"By all means, take two talents!" said Na'aman, pressing him. He tied up the two talents of silver in two bags and gave them, with the two changes of clothes, to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Geichazi.

But Naaman insisted, โ€œPlease, take two talents.โ€ And he urged Gehazi to accept them. Then he tied up two talents of silver in two bags along with two sets of clothing and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Gehazi.

And Naaman said, Be pleased to take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of raiment, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

Commentary

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Naaman, the Syrian commander, who was miraculously healed of leprosy by God through the prophet Elisha. Following his miraculous healing, Naaman offered Elisha lavish gifts as a token of gratitude, but Elisha steadfastly refused them, stating, "As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none" (2 Kings 5:16). However, Elisha's servant, Gehazi, driven by covetousness, secretly pursued Naaman to request a reward in Elisha's name, fabricating a story about two young prophets arriving who needed provisions. Naaman, still overwhelmed with thankfulness for his newfound health, was eager to give.

Key Themes

  • Generosity and Gratitude: Naaman's immediate and amplified response to Gehazi's deceptive request highlights his profound gratitude for being healed. He was not only willing to give what was asked but insisted on giving double ("take two talents"), demonstrating the depth of his thankfulness and his understanding of the immense value of his healing.
  • Greed and Deceit: This verse is a direct consequence of Gehazi's dishonesty and insatiable desire for wealth. His actions stand in stark contrast to Elisha's selfless service and refusal of payment, showcasing how personal gain can corrupt even those close to God's work. Gehazi's internal thought process, "Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him," reveals his deliberate choice to deceive (2 Kings 5:20).
  • The Cost of Dishonesty: While Naaman's generosity is evident here, it also sets the stage for the severe consequences that Gehazi faces for his deceit, which are revealed later in the chapter (read about Gehazi's judgment in 2 Kings 5:27).

Linguistic Insights

The term "talent" (Hebrew: ื›ึดึผื›ึทึผืจ, kikkฤr) refers to a substantial unit of weight for precious metals, typically silver or gold. A talent of silver was an enormous sum in ancient times, often representing many years' wages for a common laborer, making Naaman's offer of "two talents of silver" along with "two changes of garments" (fine clothing) an incredibly lavish gift. The phrase "he urged him" emphasizes Naaman's earnest desire to express his gratitude, demonstrating his noble character even as he was being exploited by Gehazi's cunning.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of greed and the critical importance of integrity, especially for those in positions of spiritual leadership or service. Gehazi's actions highlight how personal gain can corrupt even noble opportunities for ministry and service. For believers today, it underscores the call to serve God and others with pure motives, free from the love of money, which the Apostle Paul warns can be "the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). Naaman's profound generosity, though tragically exploited, reminds us of the natural human desire to express thankfulness for divine blessings, and the ongoing need for discernment against selfish motives.

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

  • 2 Kings 5:16

    But he said, [As] the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take [it]; but he refused.

  • 2 Kings 2:17

    And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.

  • 2 Kings 12:10

    And it was [so], when they saw that [there was] much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 30:6

    The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence [come] the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people [that] shall not profit [them].

  • 1 Kings 20:7

    Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this [man] seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.

  • 2 Kings 6:3

    And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.

  • Luke 11:54

    Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
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