2 Kings 5:9

KJV

¶ So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Naaman {H5283} came {H935} with his horses {H5483} and with his chariot {H7393}, and stood {H5975} at the door {H6607} of the house {H1004} of Elisha {H477}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Na'aman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house.

Berean Standard Bible

So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house.

American Standard Version

So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 5:9 vividly portrays the dramatic arrival of Naaman, the esteemed Syrian general afflicted with leprosy, at the unassuming residence of the prophet Elisha in Israel. This pivotal moment is characterized by Naaman's grand procession of horses and chariots, starkly contrasting his worldly power and expectations with the prophet's humble dwelling. The scene sets the stage for a profound encounter that will challenge Naaman's pride and reveal the unconventional nature of divine healing and the sovereign, unmerited grace of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial turning point in the narrative of Naaman's healing. The story begins by introducing Naaman as a mighty warrior, yet afflicted with leprosy ([2 Kings 5:1](/2_kings/5-1 "2 Kings 5:1 - Naaman, a Mighty Man with Leprosy")). His hope for a cure emerges from an unexpected source: a young Israelite servant girl, captured during a raid, who boldly suggests that a prophet in Samaria could heal him ([2 Kings 5:2-3](/2_kings/5-2 "2 Kings 5:2-3 - The Servant Girl's Counsel")). Naaman, with a letter from his king and a vast retinue, first approaches the King of Israel, who is distressed and feels powerless ([2 Kings 5:4-7](/2_kings/5-4 "2 Kings 5:4-7 - Naaman's Visit to the King of Israel")). It is then that Elisha, the prophet of God, intervenes, sending word for Naaman to come directly to him ([2 Kings 5:8](/2_kings/5-8 "2 Kings 5:8 - Elisha's Message to the King")). Verse 5:9 captures Naaman's grand entrance, immediately preceding Elisha's surprising and seemingly dismissive instruction delivered via a messenger ([2 Kings 5:10](/2_kings/5-10 "2 Kings 5:10 - Elisha's Instruction to Naaman")) and Naaman's initial indignant reaction ([2 Kings 5:11-12](/2_kings/5-11 "2 Kings 5:11-12 - Naaman's Anger and Pride")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Naaman was a general of Aram (Syria), a powerful kingdom that frequently engaged in conflict with Israel. His high military rank and the mention of "horses and chariots" signify immense wealth, military might, and royal authority, typical of a high-ranking official on a diplomatic mission. Leprosy, in ancient times, was a devastating and incurable skin disease, leading to social ostracization and ceremonial uncleanness according to Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases")). The prophet Elisha, as the successor to Elijah, was a prominent figure in Israel, known for performing miracles that demonstrated God's power and sovereignty. The contrast between Naaman's grand entourage and Elisha's simple "house" highlights the cultural disparity and foreshadows the clash between human pride and divine humility.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several key themes that permeate the chapter and the broader narrative of [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Book of 2 Kings"). The most prominent is **Humility vs. Pride**, as Naaman's ostentatious arrival immediately contrasts with Elisha's unassuming residence and his subsequent unconventional instructions, underscoring the tension between human self-importance and the divine call to humble submission. Another critical theme is **Divine Power Over Human Expectation**, as Naaman arrives expecting a dramatic, perhaps elaborate, healing ritual, but God's power operates on His own terms, often challenging human preconceived notions of how intervention should occur. Furthermore, the narrative demonstrates the **Sovereignty of God**, revealing His ability to use the most unexpected and humble instruments – a captive servant girl, a prophet living simply, and a common river – to accomplish His will and reveal His glory, even to a powerful gentile general, thereby foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan, a theme also seen in [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Naaman (Hebrew, _Na'aman'_):** The name means "pleasantness" or "pleasant." This is profoundly ironic given his debilitating and unpleasant disease, leprosy. As the commander of the Syrian army, Naaman was a man of great power, prestige, and probably physical presence, yet his name's meaning stands in stark contrast to his underlying condition, highlighting the superficiality of worldly glory when faced with human brokenness.
* **horses and with his chariot (Hebrew, _sûsîm wĕrekebhō'_):** The plural forms emphasize not merely a single horse and chariot, but a significant retinue, likely including multiple chariots, horses, servants, and guards. This was a clear display of Naaman's immense wealth, military authority, and the official nature of his visit as a representative of the King of Syria. It signifies his expectation of a formal, perhaps even deferential, reception commensurate with his status.
* **stood (Hebrew, _wayya'amod'_):** Derived from the verb 'amad, meaning "to stand," "to take one's stand," or "to stop." In this context, it implies a deliberate halt, a formal positioning of his entire entourage directly before Elisha's house. It suggests a posture of expectation and perhaps a demand for an audience, rather than a humble approach. He is not entering uninvited but asserting his presence and waiting for the prophet to come out to him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Naaman came":** This phrase marks the culmination of Naaman's desperate journey from Syria to Israel, driven by the hope of healing. It signifies the physical arrival of the powerful general at the humble destination, setting the stage for the dramatic encounter.
* **"with his horses and with his chariot":** This clause vividly paints a picture of Naaman's grand and imposing arrival. It underscores his high status, wealth, and military power, emphasizing the stark contrast with the prophet's simple dwelling and foreshadowing the challenge to his pride that is about to unfold. It speaks to the worldly expectations Naaman brought with him.
* **"and stood at the door of the house of Elisha":** This final clause highlights the precise location of the confrontation. Naaman positions himself and his impressive entourage directly before the prophet's humble home, signaling his readiness to receive the promised healing, yet still from a position of authority and expectation. His "standing" implies a formal, perhaps even impatient, wait for the prophet to emerge and attend to him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **literary devices** to convey its message. **Contrast** is paramount, juxtaposing Naaman's opulent display of "horses and with his chariot" and his high status with the simple, presumably humble, "house of Elisha." This stark visual and social disparity immediately highlights the central tension between human pride and divine humility. **Irony** is also present, both in Naaman's name ("pleasantness") despite his debilitating disease, and in the fact that this powerful general must seek help from a simple prophet in a foreign land. Furthermore, the scene serves as **foreshadowing**, as Naaman's grand, expectant posture at the door subtly hints at the humbling experience he is about to undergo, where his expectations will be subverted and his pride challenged by Elisha's unconventional instructions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse sets the stage for a profound theological lesson on God's unconventional methods and universal grace. It challenges human notions of power, status, and how divine intervention operates, demonstrating that God's power is not constrained by human grandeur or expectations. God often chooses the humble and unexpected to accomplish His will, revealing His glory in ways that confound human wisdom. The narrative also highlights God's universal concern, extending healing and revelation even to Gentiles like Naaman, thereby prefiguring the broader scope of God's redemptive plan beyond the nation of Israel. It underscores that true healing and spiritual transformation are not earned through status or display, but received through humble obedience to God's simple commands.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Like Naaman, we often approach God with our own expectations, our own perceived importance, or our own methods for how He should work in our lives. We might come with our "horses and chariots" – our accomplishments, our status, our self-sufficiency, or our preferred ways of doing things – expecting God to conform to our plans or to respond to our impressive displays. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that true spiritual healing, guidance, and transformation often begin when we lay aside our pride and submit to God's simple, sometimes counter-intuitive, instructions. It calls us to humility, to recognize that God's power is not contingent on our pomp or status, but on our willingness to trust and obey His ways, even when they challenge our comfort, logic, or preconceived notions of how things "should" be. Our posture before God should be one of humble dependence, not demanding expectation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, like Naaman, tend to approach God with my own expectations or a sense of self-importance?**
* **How does this verse challenge my preconceived notions of how God should work in my life or in the world?**
* **What "horses and chariots" (symbols of status, wealth, or self-reliance) might I need to set aside to truly humble myself before God?**

### FAQ
**Why is Naaman's grand entrance so significant?**

Answer: Naaman's grand entrance "with his horses and with his chariot" is highly significant because it starkly highlights the contrast between his immense worldly status, wealth, and military power, and the humble, unassuming dwelling of the prophet Elisha. This visual and social disparity immediately sets up the central theme of humility versus pride that will be explored throughout the narrative. It also reveals Naaman's expectations: he likely anticipated a formal, perhaps even elaborate, healing ritual befitting his rank, or at least a personal audience with the prophet. God, through Elisha, subverts these expectations, demonstrating that divine power operates on its own terms, often challenging human pride and preconceived notions of how God should act.

**What was the typical understanding of leprosy in ancient Israel?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, "leprosy" (Hebrew: _tzara'at_) was a broad term encompassing various severe, chronic skin diseases, not necessarily limited to what we today call Hansen's disease. Regardless of the specific medical condition, _tzara'at_ was considered a severe affliction, often associated with divine judgment or impurity. According to the Mosaic Law detailed in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws Concerning Cleansing from Leprosy"), those afflicted were deemed ceremonially unclean and were required to live in social isolation outside the camp or city. There was no known cure for _tzara'at_, making Naaman's quest for healing particularly desperate and his eventual cure a profound miracle.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Naaman's journey from a proud, powerful general to a humble recipient of divine healing profoundly foreshadows the broader work of Christ and the nature of salvation. Naaman, a Gentile, represents all those outside the covenant of Israel who are brought near by God's unmerited grace. His healing, not through a grand display or human merit but through simple, seemingly insignificant obedience to a prophet's word, points to the simplicity of faith required for salvation in Christ. Just as Naaman had to humble himself and wash in the Jordan, a common river, so too are believers called to humble themselves and be cleansed, not by works, but by the [washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration"). The story illustrates that God's salvation is for all, Jew and Gentile alike, and is received not through human achievement, status, or outward pomp, but through the [humble reception of God's grace by faith](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Grace Through Faith"). Christ Himself, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not with horses and chariots or earthly splendor, but in humility, offering a salvation that demands repentance and faith, not outward display or human achievement. His kingdom is not of this world, and entry is granted to those who become like [little children](/matthew/18-3 "Matthew 18:3 - Become Like Children"), embracing simple trust over self-reliant pride.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 60:14

The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

2 Kings 6:32

But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and [the king] sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: [is] not the sound of his master's feet behind him?

Acts 16:37

But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast [us] into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

Acts 16:39

And they came and besought them, and brought [them] out, and desired [them] to depart out of the city.

Acts 16:29

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

Acts 16:30

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

2 Kings 3:12

And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.