The Story of Naaman in 2 Kings

The Story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5

The story of Naaman, a Syrian army commander afflicted with leprosy, is recorded in 2 Kings 5. Naaman was "a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram" ^[3]. Despite his high standing and military prowess, Naaman's leprosy presented a significant personal and social challenge.

The narrative begins with Naaman's condition and his introduction to the prophet Elisha through a young Israelite captive girl who served his wife. She informed her mistress about a prophet in Samaria who could cure Naaman's leprosy ^[4]. This led to Naaman's journey to Israel, facilitated by a letter from the king of Syria to the king of Israel, requesting the king's intervention in Naaman's healing ^[2].

Upon receiving the letter, the king of Israel became distressed, interpreting the request as a pretext for war. Elisha, however, intervened, sending word to the king that he should send Naaman to him, so that Naaman might know "that there is a prophet in Israel" ^[5]. Elisha instructed Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times to be cleansed. Initially, Naaman was indignant at the simplicity of the remedy and the fact that it involved a ritual act rather than a direct intervention by the prophet. He expected a more dramatic or personalized healing process ^[6].

Naaman's servants persuaded him to follow Elisha's instructions, and upon doing so, he was healed. This event led to Naaman's acknowledgment of the God of Israel, as he declared, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel" ^[1]. Naaman's conversion is significant, as it demonstrates the reach of God's power and grace beyond Israel to the Gentiles.

The story also highlights the character of Elisha, who refused Naaman's offer of gifts, emphasizing the gratuitous nature of God's healing. However, Elisha's servant, Gehazi, ran after Naaman and deceitfully accepted gifts, leading to Gehazi's punishment with leprosy ^[9].

The narrative of Naaman has been interpreted in various ways across Christian traditions. Matthew Henry views Naaman's healing as an example of God's willingness to extend salvation beyond Israel to others, illustrating the universal scope of God's grace ^[7]. The story is also seen as a precursor to the New Testament theme of salvation being offered to Gentiles, as referenced in Luke 4:27 ^[8].

The account of Naaman's healing in 2 Kings 5 presents several theological themes, including the power of God to heal and save, the importance of faith and obedience, and the universal reach of God's grace. The story remains a significant part of biblical narratives that explore the interaction between Israel and the surrounding nations, as well as the prophetic ministry of Elisha.

The historical and cultural context of Naaman's story is also noteworthy. Leprosy was a significant affliction in the ancient Near East, often associated with ritual impurity. Naaman's condition and subsequent healing would have had considerable social and religious implications. The fact that Naaman was a high-ranking official in Syria and was healed through the ministry of an Israelite prophet underscores the transcendent nature of God's power.

Sources

2 Kings “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. -- 2 Kings 5:23”
II Kings “II Kings 5:1 (Geneva1599) — Now was there one Naaman captaine of the hoste of the King of Aram, a great man, and honourable in the sight of his lorde, because that by him the Lord had deliuered the Aramites. He also was a mightie man and valiant, but a leper.”
2 Kings “2 Kings 5:1 (NASB) — Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but he was a leper.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Naaman — Pleasantness, a Syrian, the commander of the armies of Benhadad II. in the time of Joram, king of Israel. He was afflicted with leprosy; and when the little Hebrew slave-girl that waited on his wife told her of a prophet in Samaria who could cure her master, he obtained a letter from Benhadad and proceeded with it to Joram. The king of Israel suspected in this some evil design against him, and rent his clothes. Elisha the prophet hearing of this, sent for Naaman, and the strange interview which took place is recorded in 2 Kings 5. The narrative contains all ”
2 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Kings 5 (introduction): The history of Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, a leper; who was informed by a little Israelitish captive maid that a prophet of the Lord, in Samaria, could cure him, Kg2 5:1-4. The king of Syria sends him, with a letter and rich presents, to the king of Israel, that he should recover him of his leprosy, Kg2 5:5, Kg2 5:6. On receiving the letter, the king of Israel is greatly distressed, supposing that the Syrian king designed to seek a quarrel with him; in desiring him to cleanse a leper, when it was well known that none could cure tha”
2 Kings (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Kings 5 (introduction): NAAMAN'S LEPROSY. (Kg2 5:1-7) Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master--highly esteemed for his military character and success. and honourable--rather, "very rich." but he was a leper--This leprosy, which, in Israel, would have excluded him from society, did not affect his free intercourse in the court of Syria.”
2 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Kings 5:1: Our saviour's miracles were intended for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, yet one, like a crumb, fell from the table to a woman of Canaan; so this one miracle Elisha wrought for Naaman, a Syrian; for God does good to all, and will have all men to be saved. Here is, I. The great affliction Naaman was under, in the midst of all his honours, Kg2 5:1. He was a great man, in a great place; not only rich and raised, but particularly happy for two things: - 1. That he had been very serviceable to his country. God made him so: By him the Lord had often given deliver”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 4:27: 4:27 Naaman, a Syrian: See 2 Kgs 5.”
2 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Kings 5 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 5 This chapter gives an account of the leprosy of Naaman the Syrian, and of the cure of it by Elisha; how he came to hear of him, and the recommendation he had from the king of Syria to the king of Israel, Kg2 5:1, who, coming to Elisha's house, was ordered to dip himself seven times in Jordan, which made him depart in wrath; but one of his servants persuaded him to do it, and he did, and was cured, Kg2 5:9, upon which he returned to Elisha, and offered him a present, which he refused, Kg2 5:15 but Gehazi, his servant, ran after ”

Ask Your Own Question