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.

Naaman the Syrian Seeks Healing

1
Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. ​
2
The Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of Eretz-Israel a little maiden; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. ​
3
She said to her mistress, “I wish that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.”
4
Someone went in, and told his lord, saying, “The maiden who is from Eretz-Israel said this.”
5
The king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” He departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing. ​
6
He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, “Now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.” ​
7
When the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes, and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal a man of his leprosy? But please consider and see how he seeks a quarrel against me.” ​
8
It was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your 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
Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.” ​
11
But Naaman was angry, and went away, and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leper.’ ​
12
Aren’t Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them, and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. ​
13
His servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, ‘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 was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. ​

Naaman Confesses Faith in the LORD

15
He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, “See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.” ​
16
But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” He urged him to take it; but he refused. ​
17
Naaman said, “If not, then, please let two mules’ burden of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will from now on offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD. ​
18
In this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon. When I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant in this thing.”
19
He said to 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 has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.” ​
21
So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?”
22
He said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Behold, even now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’”
23
Naaman said, “Be pleased to take two talents.” He urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants; and they carried them before him.
24
When he came to the hill, he took them from their hand, and stored them in the house. Then he let the men go, and they departed.
25
But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you come from, Gehazi?” He said, “Your servant went nowhere.”
26
He said to him, “Didn’t my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive groves and vineyards, and sheep and cattle, and male servants and female servants? ​
27
Therefore the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your seed forever.” 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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