2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 5:1 The account of Elisha’s miracles continues with a story that again recalls the ministry of Elijah: the Lord is God not only of Israelites but also of foreigners (compare 1 Kings 17:17); he is, in fact, the only true God (compare 1 Kings 18:20). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = documen... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 5:5 A LETTER TO THE KING OF ISRAEL. There is an uneasy truce between Syria and Israel. There is sufficient tension, however, for Israel’s king to be concerned that Syria’s king is SEEKING A QUARREL by asking him to perform a task (CURE HIM OF HIS LEPROSY) that only God can ac... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 5:9 STOOD AT THE DOOR. Naaman clearly expects personal, immediate attention from Elisha. However, Elisha addresses him only through a MESSENGER and sends him to WASH IN THE JORDAN. Moreover, Naaman was looking for a CURE, and Elisha apparently offers only ritual cleansing (WA... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 5:13 HAS HE ACTUALLY SAID...? Naaman’s SERVANTS have been listening more carefully, for Elisha did not speak only of ritual cleansing but of healing (“your flesh shall be restored,” v. 2 Kings 5:10). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 5:14 A LITTLE CHILD. The “great man” (v. 2 Kings 5:1) had a problem, to which the “little girl” (v. 2 Kings 5:2) had the solution. The solution involved Naaman’s becoming, like her, “a little child.” He had to submit to the authority of the prophet and acknowledge his new fai... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 5:16 I WILL RECEIVE NONE. For Elisha to accept a gift would have suggested that he had performed the miracle by his own power. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 5:17 TWO MULE LOADS OF EARTH. The earth is to be used to construct a mud-brick altar (see Exodus 20:24) for Naaman’s worship of the Lord. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 5:18 MAY THE LORD PARDON. Naaman’s dilemma is that he will still be required by his official duties to attend the temple of RIMMON. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 5:20 I WILL RUN... AND GET SOMETHING FROM HIM. Gehazi tries to profit from the miracle (compare Joshua 7:1; Acts 8:18). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 5:26 WAS IT A TIME TO ACCEPT...? Just as kings can misuse their power, so can the servants of prophets. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]