2 Kings 5:1

CHAPTER V

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, 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, 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 that disorder but God, 7.

Elisha, hearing this, orders Naaman to be sent to him, 8.

He comes to Elisha's house in great state, 9.

And the prophet sends a messenger to him, ordering him to wash

in Jordan seven times, and he should be made clean, 10.

Naaman is displeased that he is received with so little

ceremony, and departs in a rage, 11, 12.

His servants reason with him; he is persuaded, goes to Jordan,

washes, and is made clean, 13, 14.

He returns to Elisha; acknowledges the true God; and offers

him a present, which the prophet refuses, 15, 16.

He asks directions, promises never to sacrifice to any other

god, and is dismissed, 17-19.

Gehazi runs after him, pretends he is sent by his master for a

talent of silver and two changes of raiment; which he receives,

brings home, and hides, 20-24.

Elisha questions him; convicts him of his wickedness;

pronounces a curse of leprosy upon him, with which he is

immediately afflicted; and departs from his master a leper,

as white as snow, 25-27.

NOTES ON CHAP. V

Verse 2 Kings 5:1. Naaman, captain of the host] Of Naaman we know nothing more than is related here. Jarchi and some others say that he was the man who drew the bow at a venture, as we term it, and slew Ahab: see 1 Kings 22:34, and the notes there. He is not mentioned by Josephus, nor has he any reference to this history; which is very strange, as it exists in the Chaldee, Septuagint, and Syriac.

King of Syria] The Hebrew is מלך ארם melech Aram, king of Aram; which is followed by the Chaldee and Arabic. The Syriac has [Syriac] Adom; but as the Syriac [Syriac] dolath is the same element as the Syriac [Syriac] rish, differing only in the position of the diacritic point, it may have been originally Aram. The Septuagint and Vulgate have Syria, and this is a common meaning of the term in Scripture. If the king of Syria be meant, it must be Ben-hadad; and the contemporary king of Israel was Jehoram.

A great man] He was held in the highest esteem.

And honourable] Had the peculiar favour and confidence of his master; and was promoted to the highest trusts.

Had given deliverance unto Syria] That is, as the rabbins state, by his slaying Ahab, king of Israel; in consequence of which the Syrians got the victory.

A mighty man in valour] He was a giant, and very strong, according to the Arabic. He had, in a word, all the qualifications of an able general.

But he was a leper.] Here was a heavy tax upon his grandeur; he was afflicted with a disorder the most loathsome and the most humiliating that could possibly disgrace a human being. God often, in the course of his providence, permits great defects to be associated with great eminence, that he may hide pride from man; and cause him to think soberly of himself and his acquirements.