2 Kings 5:13

his servants came near As the chief ministers of the king are called -servants" though they probably are of distinguished rank; so the servants of Naaman were probably persons nearly his equals in everything except reputation, and so they could come and speak freely to him, without fear of giving offence.

My father One of them of course was spokesman for the rest. There is no other instance where servants address their master in such terms. Elisha's exclamation when Elijah was taken away from him does not come into comparison. Joseph says (Genesis 45:8) that God has made him a father to Pharaoh, but this is not quite the same sort of relationship. The word however, which because it is unusual some have endeavoured to explain as a corruption, indicates the affectionate relations which existed between Naaman and those about him, and prepares us for his ready listening to their persuasion.

some great thing They are thinking perhaps of some deed of prowess, befitting the -mighty man of valour", or some fatiguing journey by way of pilgrimage.