2 Kings5

Naaman, a Syrian captain afflicted with leprosy, was directed by a captive Israelite maid to the prophet Elisha in Samaria. Initially offended by Elisha's simple command to wash seven times in the Jordan, Naaman eventually obeyed and was miraculously cleansed. He returned to confess faith in the God of Israel, but Elisha's servant Gehazi, driven by greed, deceitfully obtained gifts from Naaman, for which he was cursed with Naaman's leprosy.
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Naaman the Syrian Seeks Healing

1
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him Jehovah had given victory unto Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. ​
2
And the Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. ​
3
And she said unto her mistress, Would that my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! then would he recover him of his leprosy.
4
And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maiden that is of the land of Israel.
5
And the king of Syria said, Go now, 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. ​
6
And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, And now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. ​
7
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? but consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. ​
8
And it was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. ​

Elisha Commands Naaman to Wash in the Jordan

9
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
10
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. ​
11
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Jehovah his God, and wave his hand over the place, and recover the leper. ​
12
Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. ​
13
And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
14
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. ​

Naaman Confesses Faith in the LORD

15
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a present of thy servant. ​
16
But he said, As Jehovah liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. ​
17
And Naaman said, If not, yet, I pray thee, let there be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth; for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt-offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto Jehovah. ​
18
In this thing Jehovah pardon thy servant: when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, Jehovah pardon thy servant in this thing.
19
And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

Gehazi’s Greed and Punishment

20
But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: as Jehovah liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. ​
21
So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw one running after him, he alighted from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
22
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.
23
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.
24
And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house; and he let the men go, and they departed.
25
But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
26
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? ​
27
The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. ​

Study Notes for 2 Kings 5

Verse 1

Naaman's status highlights the paradox of human greatness marred by inescapable affliction (leprosy). That the LORD gave deliverance to Syria shows God's sovereignty extends even over foreign, hostile nations.

Verse 2

The story pivots on the faith of this unnamed 'little maid,' a captive girl who demonstrates loyalty and conviction, pointing her master to the true source of healing, the prophet in Israel.

Verse 5

The vast treasure (10 talents of silver and 6,000 pieces of gold) reflects Naaman's wealth and status, and the desperate seriousness of his request, approaching healing as a political transaction.

Verse 6

Naaman and the Syrian King mistakenly believe that physical healing is a political favor or transaction handled by the King of Israel, failing to recognize the need for divine intervention.

Verse 7

The King of Israel (likely Joram) tears his clothes in fear, recognizing that the request is impossible for him and suspecting a political trap. He fails to recognize the prophetic power available in his own kingdom.

Verse 8

Elisha intervenes to protect the king and, more importantly, to ensure that Naaman (and Syria) learns that the God of Israel is active through His prophet, demonstrating divine power over political maneuvering.

Verse 10

Elisha asserts his authority by sending a messenger, not appearing himself, and gives a simple, symbolic command: washing seven times in the ritualistically significant Jordan River.

Verse 11

Naaman's anger stems from wounded pride and cultural expectations. He anticipated a dramatic, personalized ritual typical of pagan magic or high royal protocol, not a simple, humbling act.

Verse 12

Naaman’s preference for the great rivers of Damascus highlights the conflict between human logic/aesthetic preference and divine command. Faith requires obedience even when the means seem nonsensical.

Verse 14

Naaman’s complete obedience leads to complete healing. The transformation of his skin 'like unto the flesh of a little child' signifies total restoration, symbolizing spiritual cleansing through humble submission.

Verse 15

Naaman’s confession, 'now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel,' is the theological climax of the story, demonstrating that the miracle led to genuine conversion and exclusive worship.

Verse 16

Elisha refuses the substantial gift to emphasize that divine grace and power are not commodities for sale. This refusal maintains the integrity of the prophetic ministry and God’s free gift.

Verse 17

Naaman requests earth, perhaps believing that the God of Israel could only be properly worshipped on the sacred soil of Israel, reflecting common ancient Near Eastern religious views of territorial gods.

Verse 20

Gehazi's motive is pure avarice, viewing Elisha's refusal of gifts as foolishness. His oath, 'as the LORD liveth,' ironically precedes his act of betrayal and theft.

Verse 26

Elisha reveals that he saw the entire transaction supernaturally. He condemns Gehazi for attempting to profit from a miracle, thereby undermining the divine nature of the healing.

Verse 27

The transfer of Naaman’s leprosy to Gehazi serves as a physical manifestation of Gehazi’s profound moral corruption (greed and deceit). This severe punishment protects the reputation of God’s free grace and Elisha’s ministry.

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