2 Kings 5

King James Version

Full text for 2 Kings Chapter 5

1¶ Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, [but he was] a leper.

2And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

3And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord [were] with the prophet that [is] in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

4And [one] went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that [is] of the land of Israel.

5And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, 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.

6And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have [therewith] sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.

7And 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? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.

8And it was [so], when Elisha the man of God had 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 chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

10And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

11But 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 the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

12[Are] not Abana and Pharpar, 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.

13And 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?

14Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in 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.

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 blessing of thy servant.

16But he said, [As] the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take [it]; but he refused.

17And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, 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 the LORD.

18In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, [that] 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 down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

19And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

20¶ But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, [as] the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

21So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw [him] running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, [Is] all well?

22And he said, All [is] well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.

23And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid [them] upon two of his servants; and they bare [them] before him.

24And when he came to the tower, he took [them] from their hand, and bestowed [them] in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.

25But 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.

26And he said unto him, Went not mine heart [with thee], when the man turned again 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 menservants, and maidservants?

27The 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

Naaman, a valiant Syrian general, suffered from leprosy, a condition that a young Israelite captive maid suggested could be cured by the prophet in Samaria. Upon hearing this, the king of Syria sent Naaman with a letter and rich gifts to the king of Israel, who, misunderstanding the request, rent his clothes in distress. Elisha, hearing of the king's despair, sent for Naaman, instructing him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman, expecting a more elaborate healing ritual and preferring the rivers of Damascus, was initially enraged but was persuaded by his servants to obey. After dipping seven times, his flesh was restored, and he returned to Elisha, declaring his newfound faith in the God of Israel. Elisha refused any payment, but his servant Gehazi, coveting the gifts, deceitfully pursued Naaman, fabricating a story to receive silver and garments, for which Elisha supernaturally rebuked him and transferred Naaman's leprosy to him.

Long Summary

Naaman, the esteemed captain of the Syrian army, though a man of great valor and honor, was afflicted with leprosy. A young Israelite maid, captured by Syrian raiders, suggested to Naaman's wife that her master could be healed by the prophet in Samaria. This intelligence led the king of Syria to send Naaman with a letter and lavish gifts to the king of Israel, requesting the healing of his servant. The king of Israel, misinterpreting the letter as a pretext for war, rent his clothes in despair, believing he was being challenged to perform a divine act. Elisha, the man of God, upon hearing of the king's distress, sent word for Naaman to come to him, promising that Naaman would then know there was a prophet in Israel. Naaman arrived at Elisha's house with his retinue, but Elisha merely sent a messenger, instructing him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman was greatly offended by this simple, unceremonious command, expecting Elisha to personally come out, call upon the Lord, and perform a dramatic healing gesture. He scornfully compared the Jordan to the superior rivers of Damascus and departed in a rage. However, his servants wisely reasoned with him, urging him to obey the simple instruction. Humbled, Naaman descended and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, and his flesh was miraculously restored to him, becoming like that of a young child. Overwhelmed, Naaman returned to Elisha, declaring his conviction that there was no God in all the earth but in Israel, and earnestly offered gifts, which Elisha steadfastly refused. Naaman then requested two mules' burden of earth, signifying his desire to worship the Lord on Israelite soil, and sought pardon for future instances where he might have to bow in the house of Rimmon while attending his master. Elisha bid him peace. Subsequently, Gehazi, Elisha's servant, driven by covetousness, secretly pursued Naaman, fabricating a story about Elisha needing silver and garments for two young prophets. Naaman generously gave him double what he asked, which Gehazi then hid. Upon Gehazi's return, Elisha, by divine revelation, confronted him, rebuking him for his deceit and covetousness, and pronounced that Naaman's leprosy would cleave to him and his descendants forever, immediately afflicting Gehazi with leprosy as white as snow.

Core Concepts

  • Naaman's Condition and StatusNaaman was a powerful and respected Syrian captain, yet his high standing did not exempt him from the debilitating disease of leprosy, highlighting the universal reach of human affliction.
  • The Maid's Humble CounselA young Israelite captive maid, a seemingly insignificant figure, played a pivotal role by directing Naaman to Elisha, demonstrating how God can use the most unexpected means to initiate His work.
  • Obedience and HumilityNaaman's initial pride and expectation of a grand ritual contrasted with Elisha's simple command to wash in the Jordan, requiring Naaman to humble himself and obey for his miraculous healing.
  • Conversion and Confession of FaithAfter his cleansing, Naaman returned to Elisha, declaring his conviction that there was no true God in all the earth but in Israel, signifying his profound spiritual transformation and commitment to the Lord.
  • Gehazi's Greed and DeceptionElisha's servant, Gehazi, succumbed to covetousness, deceitfully pursuing Naaman for material gain by fabricating a false story, betraying his master's integrity.
  • Divine Justice and ConsequencesElisha, through divine knowledge, exposed Gehazi's sin and pronounced a swift and severe judgment, causing Naaman's leprosy to be transferred to Gehazi and his descendants, illustrating the immediate consequences of disobedience and greed.