2 Kings 5
In this chapter, we are introduced to Naaman, a commander in the Syrian army, who suffers from leprosy. The story revolves around his journey to Israel in search of healing, guided by the advice of a captive Israelite girl. The chapter highlights themes of faith, obedience, and the universal reach of God's grace, extending even to a foreigner. It also contrasts the humility required to receive God's blessings with the pride that hinders it.
2 Kings 5:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.
2 And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife.
3 Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.”
4 And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, “Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel.”
5 Then the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he departed and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing.
Naaman, despite his high rank and valor, was afflicted by leprosy, a condition that would have marked him as an outcast in society. The presence of a young Israelite servant girl in Naaman's household provides a turning point in the story, as she speaks with faith about the prophet in Samaria (Elisha) who could heal Naaman. Her simple, bold statement sets in motion a chain of events that bring Naaman into contact with the God of Israel. The Syrian king’s willingness to send Naaman to Israel shows how valued he was and how desperate he was for a cure.
2 Kings 5:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Then he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which said, “Now be advised, when this letter comes to you, that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.”
7 And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me.”
The king of Israel reacts with fear and misunderstanding. He assumes that the letter is a pretext for conflict since healing leprosy was beyond any human ability. His reaction of tearing his clothes reflects his distress, thinking the king of Syria was trying to provoke a fight. This reveals the king’s lack of faith and spiritual insight compared to the faith of the young servant girl.
2 Kings 5:8-10 (NKJV)
8 So it was, 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? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
9 Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house.
10 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”
Elisha’s calm response shows his confidence in God's power to heal. He rebukes the king for his fear and assures him that the prophet’s presence in Israel will be demonstrated. Naaman arrives at Elisha’s house, but instead of being received with the respect and honor he likely expected, a messenger instructs him to wash in the Jordan River. This simple directive seems to test Naaman’s willingness to humble himself and follow instructions, setting the stage for a lesson in faith and obedience.
2 Kings 5:11-12 (NKJV)
11 But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘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 leprosy.’
12 Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.
Naaman’s pride is wounded because Elisha did not personally attend to him or perform a dramatic healing ritual. He expected something grand and impressive, and when he received a humble command to wash in the Jordan River, he felt insulted. His reference to the rivers of Damascus reflects his national pride, but it also highlights his lack of understanding that healing comes through obedience to God’s word, not the superiority of physical elements.
2 Kings 5:13-14 (NKJV)
13 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”
14 So he went down and dipped 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’s servants wisely appeal to his logic, pointing out that if the prophet had asked for something more difficult, Naaman would have been willing to do it. Their humble and respectful approach leads Naaman to reconsider his prideful stance. He follows Elisha’s simple instruction and, upon dipping in the Jordan River seven times, is miraculously healed. His flesh becomes as pure as a child’s, symbolizing not only physical healing but also spiritual renewal through obedience.
2 Kings 5:15-16 (NKJV)
15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except 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 nothing.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused.
Naaman’s healing leads to a profound change in his heart. He returns to Elisha, acknowledging that the God of Israel is the only true God. This confession reflects his newfound faith. Naaman offers a gift in gratitude, but Elisha refuses to accept it, reinforcing that the work of God cannot be bought. Elisha’s refusal ensures that the glory for this miracle goes to God alone, not to any human effort or payment.
2 Kings 5:17-19 (NKJV)
17 So Naaman said, “Then, if not, please let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will no longer offer either burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the Lord.
18 Yet in this thing may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord please pardon your servant in this thing.”
19 Then he said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a short distance.
Naaman requests to take earth from Israel as a way of continuing to worship the true God, even when he returns to his homeland. His request reveals his sincerity in wanting to serve the Lord, despite his continued position in Syria, where he will still have to accompany his king into the temple of a foreign god. Elisha’s response, “Go in peace,” shows that God understands Naaman’s heart and situation, offering grace even in these difficult circumstances.
2 Kings 5:20-22 (NKJV)
20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”
21 So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?”
22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.’”
Gehazi, motivated by greed, is displeased that Elisha did not accept Naaman’s gift. He devises a lie, using Elisha’s authority to obtain wealth from Naaman. His lie involves a fabricated story about young prophets in need, hoping this excuse will convince Naaman to give him the requested silver and garments.
2 Kings 5:23-24 (NKJV)
23 So Naaman said, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants; and they carried them on ahead of him.
24 When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed.
Naaman, still in a generous spirit, gives Gehazi more than what was requested, demonstrating his gratitude for the healing he received. Gehazi, after receiving the silver and garments, hides them in his house. His secretive actions reflect his dishonesty and the fact that he is trying to conceal his wrongdoing. The greed that drove Gehazi led him to act in direct contrast to Elisha's integrity and trust in God's provision.
2 Kings 5:25-27 (NKJV)
25 Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.”
26 Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?
27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.
Gehazi attempts to lie to Elisha, but Elisha, guided by divine knowledge, confronts him. Elisha’s rhetorical question highlights the inappropriateness of seeking wealth at a time when God’s power and grace should have been the focus. Gehazi’s greed leads to a severe consequence—he is struck with Naaman’s leprosy. This punishment serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of dishonesty and selfishness in contrast to the humility and obedience demonstrated earlier in the chapter.