2 Kings 5:4

And [one] went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that [is] of the land of Israel.

And one went in {H935}, and told {H5046} his lord {H113}, saying {H559}, Thus and thus said {H1696} the maid {H5291} that is of the land {H776} of Israel {H3478}.

Na'aman went in and told his lord, "The girl from the land of Isra'el said such-and-such."

And Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said.

And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maiden that is of the land of Israel.

Commentary

2 Kings 5:4 recounts the critical moment when Naaman, the esteemed Syrian commander, received the hopeful message from his young Israelite servant girl, setting in motion the extraordinary events that would lead to his miraculous healing.

Context

This verse serves as a crucial bridge in the compelling narrative of Naaman's leprosy and subsequent cure. The preceding verses (2 Kings 5:1-3) introduce Naaman as a valiant and highly regarded general of Aram (Syria), yet afflicted with the devastating disease of leprosy. A young Israelite girl, captured during a Syrian raid and now serving Naaman's wife, expresses a profound and compassionate wish: that her master would go to the prophet in Samaria, believing he could be cured. Verse 4 then details the reporting of this seemingly insignificant maid's bold and faith-filled suggestion directly to Naaman, indicating that her words were taken seriously enough to be conveyed to such a high-ranking official.

Key Themes

  • God's Unconventional Instruments: This passage powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty and His ability to use the most unexpected and humble individualsโ€”in this case, a captive slave girlโ€”to initiate His divine plan. Her simple testimony became the catalyst for a national leader's physical and spiritual transformation.
  • The Power of a Simple Testimony: The maid's words, though brief and delivered from a position of servitude, carried immense weight and hope. Her faith, even in the midst of her own captivity, was strong enough to reach Naaman and prompt him to seek a solution beyond conventional means.
  • Hope in Despair: For Naaman, facing a terminal and socially isolating disease, the maid's message offered a beacon of hope, grounded in her knowledge of the true God and His prophet in Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Thus and thus said" (Hebrew: ื›ึผึนื” ื•ึธื›ึนื” ืึธืžึฐืจึธื”, koh vakhoh amrah) emphasizes the directness and earnestness of the maid's message. It suggests that her words were relayed faithfully and perhaps with a sense of urgency, highlighting their immediate impact. The KJV's "one went in" (Hebrew: ื•ึทื™ึผึธื‘ึนื, vayyavo), using a general masculine singular, likely refers to Naaman himself or one of his trusted attendants relaying the maid's words directly to him, underscoring the importance given to her message despite her low social status.

Related Scriptures

The maid's courageous words set in motion Naaman's remarkable journey to Israel and his eventual encounter with Elisha, the prophet of God. This led to his miraculous cleansing through obedience, by dipping seven times in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5:14). Following his healing, Naaman made a profound confession of faith in the one true God (2 Kings 5:15). This narrative beautifully illustrates God's sovereign hand working through seemingly small circumstances to bring about great salvation, a theme echoed in the New Testament where God often chooses the foolish and weak things of the world to confound the wise and mighty.

Practical Application

This verse profoundly encourages believers today to never underestimate the potential impact of a simple, faithful testimony, regardless of one's social standing, age, or perceived importance. Even in difficult circumstances, our words of hope and truth, rooted in genuine faith, can be used by God to initiate profound change in the lives of others, including those in positions of power or influence. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's divine plan often unfolds through unexpected channels, emphasizing His omnipotence and our vital role as His humble messengers.

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

  • 1 Corinthians 1:26

    For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:27

    But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

  • Mark 16:9

    ยถ Now when [Jesus] was risen early the first [day] of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

  • Mark 16:10

    [And] she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

  • John 4:28

    The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

  • John 4:29

    Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

  • Mark 5:19

    Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
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