2 Kings 5:26

And he said unto him, Went not mine heart [with thee], when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? [Is it] a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

And he said {H559} unto him, Went {H1980} not mine heart {H3820} with thee, when the man {H376} turned {H2015} again from his chariot {H4818} to meet {H7125} thee? Is it a time {H6256} to receive {H3947} money {H3701}, and to receive {H3947} garments {H899}, and oliveyards {H2132}, and vineyards {H3754}, and sheep {H6629}, and oxen {H1241}, and menservants {H5650}, and maidservants {H8198}?

Elisha said to him, "Wasn't my heart there with you when the man left his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to receive silver and clothing - and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female slaves?

But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?

And he said unto him, Went not my heart with thee, when the man turned from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards and vineyards, and sheep and oxen, and men-servants and maid-servants?

Commentary

Context of 2 Kings 5:26

This powerful verse captures the moment of confrontation between the prophet Elisha and his servant, Gehazi, immediately following Naaman's miraculous healing from leprosy. Naaman, a Syrian commander, had sought out Elisha for healing and, after being cleansed by bathing in the Jordan River, offered generous gifts as a token of gratitude. Elisha, however, had steadfastly refused to accept anything, desiring to demonstrate that God's power and salvation are freely given, not bought (2 Kings 5:16). Gehazi, overcome by greed, secretly pursued Naaman and, by lying, obtained a portion of the gifts Elisha had rejected. Elisha's question in verse 26 reveals his prophetic insight into Gehazi's actions, even though he was not physically present at the scene.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Discernment and Omniscience: Elisha's rhetorical question, "Went not mine heart [with thee]?", powerfully illustrates his prophetic gift and God's omniscience. It signifies that Elisha, through the Spirit of God, was fully aware of Gehazi's secret actions and intentions, even when physically separated. This highlights that no deed, especially those done in deceit, is hidden from God or His chosen servants.
  • The Dangers of Greed and Covetousness: Gehazi's desire for material gain (money, garments, oliveyards, vineyards, sheep, oxen, servants) directly contradicted the spirit of Elisha's ministry, which emphasized God's free grace. His covetousness led him to lie and dishonor God's name, ultimately resulting in severe consequences. The verse serves as a stark warning against the love of money as a root of evil.
  • Integrity in Ministry: Elisha's refusal of gifts was crucial for maintaining the purity and integrity of his prophetic office, ensuring that God alone received the glory for Naaman's healing. Gehazi's actions undermined this integrity, suggesting that God's blessings could be exploited for personal profit.
  • Appropriate Timing and Priorities: Elisha's follow-up question, "Is it a time to receive money...?", emphasizes that there are appropriate and inappropriate times for certain actions. In the context of a miraculous healing that magnified God's power, pursuing personal wealth was utterly out of place and demonstrated a profound misunderstanding of spiritual priorities.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Went not mine heart [with thee]" (KJV) is a powerful Hebrew idiom that conveys Elisha's spiritual presence and acute prophetic awareness. It doesn't mean Elisha's emotions merely followed Gehazi, but rather that his spirit or consciousness, empowered by God, was supernaturally present and privy to Gehazi's actions and thoughts. It speaks to a divine revelation, not mere suspicion. The subsequent list of material possessions underscores Gehazi's extensive and worldly desires, contrasting sharply with the spiritual nature of Elisha's calling.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God Sees All: We are reminded that God is omniscient, and our actions, even those done in secret, are known to Him. This should inspire us to live with greater integrity and accountability in all areas of life.
  • Guard Against Greed: The story of Gehazi is a powerful cautionary tale against the insatiable desire for material possessions. It challenges us to examine our motives and ensure that our pursuits align with God's will, not selfish ambition.
  • Integrity in Service: For those in ministry or any form of service, Gehazi's failure underscores the importance of maintaining pure motives and avoiding any appearance of exploiting spiritual gifts or positions for personal gain.
  • Right Priorities: We should constantly evaluate whether our actions and aspirations are appropriate for the "time" – that is, whether they align with God's purposes and kingdom values, especially when God is working powerfully in our lives or through us.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Colossians 2:5

    For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:3

    For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, [concerning] him that hath so done this deed,

  • 2 Kings 6:12

    And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that [is] in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:11

    If we have sown unto you spiritual things, [is it] a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

  • 1 Corinthians 9:12

    If others be partakers of [this] power over you, [are] not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

  • Matthew 10:8

    Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

  • 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.
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