2Ki 5:1-2
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.
Naaman
commander of the army of the king of Syria
great man to his master? (King?)
and honorable man
persistent enemy to both Israel and Judah
As recently as the days of Ahab and Jehoshaphat, Syria had fought and won against Israel (1 Kings 22:35-36)
'A mighty man of valor"
This same title was applied to
Gideon
Jephthah
David
Jeroboam
Eliada
Naaman is the only Gentile mentioned as "a mighty man of valor".
According to Jewish legends, “The Rabbins tell us that it was he [Naaman] who shot the arrow wherewith Ahab was slain.” (Trapp)
The Syrian bands had taken a young maiden who waited on Naaman's wife
2Ki 5:3-5
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.
Summary
Vs3 Young maidens says "If only Naaman, my master were with "the prophet" (Elisha) in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy".
Vs4 Someone then went in and told "his lord" (or Naaman's lord) what the young maiden of Israel said.
Who might we suppose "his lord" is? The king of Syria?
Vs5 The king of Syria says, go, I'll send a letter to the king of Israel. So we assume Naaman departs for Israel
with 10 talents of silver
six thousand pieces of gold
10 changes of clothing.
Vs5 Not sure if the gold, silver and raiment are provided by the king or whether Naaman provides them himself.
Zec 14:14
And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the nations round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.
2 Kings 5:6-7
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.
Summary
Vs6 The king of Israel (Jehoram, Ahab's son) receives the letter from the king of Syria which says "I have sent you my servant Naaman that you may help him recovery of leprosy".
Vs7 Jehoram the king of Israel seems to misinterpret the king of Syria's request. He seems to think the letter is asking 'HIM personally' to heal Naaman of his leprosy.
Vs7 Jehoram tears his clothes and says.
Am I God, to kill and make alive?
Does he think I can help him recovery from leprosy?
He's trying to start a fight with me.
Why does he misunderstand the letter?
Mistrust between nations? Certainly. Had been at war with Syria off and on for years. Border scermishs.
Naaman IS the captain of the Syrian army. Maybe fear?
Maybe anger at Namaan? Rumor had it that Naaman was the one to kill Ahab back in 1 Kings 22:34.
1Ki 22:34
And a certain man drew his bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the armor: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am sore wounded.
Poorly written? The maiden who originally spoke the words stated that he would recover if he were with (or before) the prophets
Maybe Jehoram is a fool?
2 Kings 5:8-9
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. 9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
Summary
Vs8 Elisha seems to have heard about king Jehoram renting his clothes. So Elisha boldly tells the king to send Naaman to him.
Vs9 Naaman shows up at Elisha's door with his horses and chariots. Maybe this is why Jehoram was so troubled.
What else does Naaman bring when he arrives at Elisha's house? Silver, gold and raiment
2 Kings 5:10-12
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.
Summary
Vs10 Does Elisha even come to answer the door of his own house? No, great boldness.
Vs10 Does Elisha show any favor for the status of Naaman? No.
Vs10 Messenger answers the door and and says "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean."
Vs11 Naaman's response? He is angry and departs saying ‘He’s surely going to come out to me, stand and call out in the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the infection, and cure the leprosy!’
Vs11 And you wonder if Elisha did it intentionally to expose something within Naaman? What might be exposed? Pride? Lack of humility.
Vs11 Or maybe we are being shown the ways of God. God does things His way? Any thoughts?
Vs12 Naaman says "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."
The rivers of Damascus, the Abana and Pharpar rivers are better (or cleaner) than all the rivers of Jordan. Why wash in a muddy river when then the cleaner rivers are avail at home.
Did Naaman understand the type of cleansing that Elisha is referring too? What cleansing is Elisha speaking of? Curing of leprosy and knowing of God of Israel
Probably is significance to the names of these two rivers. Any ideas? Not sure what it is.
Maybe the significance is in their locations. One is found in Israel while the other is found in Damascus, outside of Israel.
2 Kings 5:13-14
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.
Summary
Vs13 Naaman's servants say "Suppose the prophet had spoken a great thing to thee, wouldst thou not perform it?"
So is Naaman really offended because the words that Elisha told him to do are insignificant?
Or is it because the task seemed beneath him?
Or might it be he was offended because Elisha didn't answer the door, show him respect that he felt was due AND told him to wash in a dirty river??
Vs13 Naaman's servants say, "yet he has but said to thee, Wash, and be cleansed."
Might as well do the mundane tasks. What do you have to lose?
Vs14 Naaman takes their words of wisdom, proceeds to the Jordan River, dips or plunges 7x's, and comes up on the 7th time cleansed with the flesh of a little child.
2 Kings 5:15-19
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.
Summary
Vs15 Naaman and his group return to Elisha's house, stands before him and says:
The only God in all the earth is in Israel. What does this statement seem to refer to?
The locations of the only God in relationship to the rivers. God isn't in Damascus, Syria (Abana and Pharpar Rivers). He is in Israel (Jordan River).
Vs15 Naaman says "now let me give you a present".
Elisha says "as the Lord lives before whom I stand, I will take none"
"Before whom I stand" - overcomer - double portion is subtly reiterated
Vs16 Naaman urges Elisha to take the gift or blessing but he refuses.
Vs17 Naaman says, no? Ok, can I have two mules worth of dirt? I won't offer sacrifices or offerings to any other God?
Why two mules of dirt?
If I can't be in Israel to worship the Lord, I'll bring some Israel with me?
Maybe I'll build an altar with the dirt from Israel to offer sacrifices or burnt offerings?
Vs18 Forgive me when I am required to bow and worship in the house of Rimmon with my master leaning on my hand or arm. Forgive me.
Vs19 Elisha tells him to go in peace. So Naaman leaves and gets a little ways away…
2 Kings 5:20-24
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.
Summary
Vs20 But Gehazi says…
What did we say the Gehazi's represents?
Gehazi means 'valley of vision". In Isaiah 22, the "burden of the valley of vision" is referred to as occurring on the day of vengeance (or 7th day). In particular to those who didn't allow the sword to do it's work, in their life.
Remember they were called to weep, and mourn with sackcloth? They didn't and were unready for day 7.
Isa 22:12
And in that day did the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
But instead…
Isa 22:13
and behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine: let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die.
Isa 22:14b
….surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you till ye die, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.
Vs20 Gehazi says in his heart: "Naaman escaped without giving away any of the booty. I'm gonna go after him and get some."
Is this a problem? What might we call it?
Love of money
1Ti 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Vs21 Gehazi follows Naaman, evidently running after him. Naaman stops, hops down from his chariot and says "Is everything ok?". (Shalom)
Vs22 Gehazi says "all is well" (Shalom).
Elisha sent me.
Two prophets from Ephraim just arrived.
Give them each a talent of silver and two changes of raiment.
Are these lies??
The exposing of the Gehazi's again on day 7. We already have seen:
Gehazi thrusts the woman away at Elisha's feet. Spiritually insensitive, and undiscerning
Gehazi being unable to restore the son of the woman. Can not impart life
Gehazi fed the prophets wild gourds which could have caused death. Partaking of Gehazi's food causes spiritual death.
Now we see Gehazi as a liar with a love of money!
Vs23 Naaman offers him two talents of silver each in their own bag along with two changes of raiment. Two of Naaman's servants carry them back to town for Gehazi.
Vs24 When Gehazi and the servants came to the secret place (hill or tower), Gehazi took the goods, put it in the house and Naaman's servants left.
2 Kings 5:25-27
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.
Summary
Vs25 Gehazi goes in and sees Elisha. Elisha says "where, Gehazi?" or "where did you come from?"
Vs25 Gehazi says, "Thy servant went not hither or thither". Or “Your servant went nowhere.”
Vs26 Elisha says, “My heart/spirit showed me when the man came down from his chariot to meet you."
Vs26 "Is now the time to receive money (silver)? To receive clothes (raiment)?
And olive groves
vineyards
sheep
oxen
servants
or female attendants?
Why might these additional six items be mentioned?
Seems Elisha's prophetic spirit knows the contents of Gehazi's heart or thoughts.
Just curious: Do the overcomers possess this ability?
Maybe these are the items that Gehazi wants to purchase with the silver?
The Gehazi ministry was more interested in money making and making a profit on day 7.
5. vs27 The fate of the unprepared 7th day church:
Elisha says "Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow."
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