_NAAMAN IS SENT BY THE KING OF SYRIA TO THE KING OF SAMARIA, TO BE CURED OF HIS LEPROSY: ELISHA COMMANDETH NAAMAN TO WASH SEVEN TIMES IN JORDAN. HE OBEYS, AND IS CLEANSED. GEHAZI RECEIVETH GIFTS FROM NAAMAN, AND BECOMETH LEPROUS._ _Before Christ 894._... [ Continue Reading ]
HE—TOOK WITH HIM TEN TALENTS OF SILVER, &C.— See on 1 Kings 14:3 concerning the presents of eatables; besides which, in other cases the presents that anciently were, and of late have been, wont to be made to personages eminent for study and piety, consisted of large sums of money or vestments. Thus... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THOU MAYEST RECOVER HIM OF HIS LEPROSY— Or, _"That by thy command the prophet who is with thee may cleanse him."_ See 2 Kings 5:3. Kings are often said to _do_ those things which they _command_ to be done; in which view, there is no ambiguity in the letter of the king of Syria. But the king of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND STOOD AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE OF ELISHA— Elisha's not appearing to receive the Syrian general, is ascribed by some to the retired course of life which the prophets led; but then, why did he see him and enter into conversation with him, when he returned from his cure? We should rather think that... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO MULES BURDEN OF EARTH— He desired the _earth_ of the land, because he thought it more holy and acceptable to God, and proper for his service; or that because by this token he would declare his conjunction with the people of Israel in the true worship, and constantly put himself in mind of his gr... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THIS THING THE LORD PARDON THY SERVANT, &C.— _Rimmon,_ the great idol of the Phoenicians, is by many thought to have been the _sun._ There seems to be no doubt that some of the planets at least were worshipped under this name. As Naaman in the preceding verses has declared that he will worship no... [ Continue Reading ]
WENT NOT MINE HEART WITH THEE, &C.?— _Was not I present with thee in mind, when the man,_ &c.?—_Thou hast indeed taken money, with which thou mayest buy gardens, and olive-yards,_ &c. Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LEPROSY—OF NAAMAN SHALL CLEAVE UNTO THEE— A sentence which Gehazi justly deserved, for his crime was aggravated by a greedy covetousness, which is idolatry, prophanation of God's name, a downright theft, in taking that to himself which was given for others, deliberate and impudent lying, a despe... [ Continue Reading ]