Read the Passage: 2 Kings 5:1–6:7

Naaman’s Healing (5:1–19)

This chapter introduces a man named Naaman, who was the commander of the army of Syria. This text records that while Namaan was honorable and a mighty man of valor, he also had leprosy. Observe that Syria and Israel were enemies. Earlier, 1 Kings 20 and 22 gave details about a conflict between Israel and Syria; later, 2 Kings 6 will report a battle between these two nations. Next, 2 Kings 5:3–4 records that Naaman had a young Jewish servant girl, who told him there was a prophet in Samaria who could heal him—namely, Elisha. Surprisingly, the king of Syria sent Namaan to Israel with a large gift and a letter stating, “I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of leprosy” (2 Kings 5:6). Since leprosy was a fatal and incurable disease, Jehoram was not pleased, believing that this request was the king of Syria’s attempt to spark a war with Isreal.

While Jehoram was distressed, Elisha viewed the request as an opportunity to show the king of Syria “that there is a prophet in Israel” (2 Kings 5:8). Apparently, on account of his position, lavish gift, and diplomatic letter, Naaman expected to be received in Israel with fanfare. However, when he arrived at Elisha’s residence, the prophet merely sent a messenger to tell Naaman to wash in the Jordan river to be healed and to become clean. This lack of attention offended Naaman, as he declared the superiority of two rivers back in Syria. From a human standpoint, Naaman was correct, as both the Abanah and Pharpar rivers were bigger, clearer, and deeper rivers than the Jordan. However, Elisha’s directive in this passage was a test of obedience. Next, at the urging of his servants, Naaman washed in the Jordan and “his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:14).

After his miraculous healing, Naaman returned to Elisha and declared, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15). In making the twenty-five mile trip from the Jordan river back to Samaria, and in declaring his belief about God to Elisha, Naaman demonstrated that his heart had been changed. Although Naaman urged Elisha to receive his financial gift, Elisha steadfastly refused. In doing so, Elisha was emphasizing that God was the source of Naaman’s healing, as well as showing that he was not a theological mercenary, as were many of the prophets of Baal. Observe how Naaman’s response further demonstrated his faith in God, as he asked Elisha for two mule loads of soil. This was related to the belief that a nation’s gods were tied to its land. Whereas earlier Naaman had disparaged Israel’s river, now he prized the nation’s dirt.

Gehazi’s Greed (5:20–27)

Elisha’s servant Gehazi did not understand that Elisha’s refusal to receive material goods was a way of demonstrating that he did not serve God for money. Next, driven by greed, Gehazi pursued Naaman, lied to him, and asked for gifts of silver and of clothing. Naaman was happy to give Gehazi clothing and two talents of silver. This silver weighed about 150 pounds and was worth roughly $75,000. Since Naaman had brought a large amount of silver, gold, and clothing on his trip, the gift to Gehazi likely seemed trivial to him, especially in light of his recent healing (cf. 2 Kings 5:5). Yet, as is taught elsewhere in the Bible (cf. Prov. 1:19; 15:27), Gehazi’s greed was his own downfall. Indeed, when Gehazi returned home, Elisha confronted him, teaching that the present age is not the time to chase after material gain (cf. 2 Kings 5:26). In the end, Gehazi was cursed with Naaman’s leprosy.

Elisha’s Miracle (6:1–7)

Sandwiched between the account of Naaman’s leprosy (cf. 2 Kings 5:1–27) and Elisha’s defeat of the Syrian army (cf. 2 Kings 6:8–23) is a narrative about a floating axe-head. This miracle, which is the twelfth of Elisha’s recorded miracles, likely appears here for this is where it occurred chronologically. In this account, a school of prophets who were likely under Elisha’s tutelage, planned to enlarge their dwelling place. As they were chopping down trees for lumber, an iron axe-head being used by one of the prophets flew off its handle and fell in the Jordan river. While this loss was an unfortunate accident, it was compounded by the fact that the axe-head had been borrowed. Furthermore, the poor student-prophet would have had no means of replacing the axe-head. In response, Elisha performed a miracle by causing the iron axe-head to float so that it could be recovered.

Application Questions:

1. Would you rather witness a miracle that showed power over nature, or a miracle that involved physical healing?
2. Why did Naaman believe the claim of a slave girl? Why did God help Naaman, since Syria was an enemy?
3. Why did Elisha command Naaman to repetitively complete a menial task like washing in the river?
4. What does the Bible teach about the relationship between money and service for those in vocational ministry?
5. Is greed a common sin today? What is the difference between greed, saving, and stewardship?