Note: Words are shown in their original Hebrew order, which differs from English translations. This reflects the emphasis and structure of Scripture as originally written. Click any word to see its full lexicon entry.
1Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.
5“Go now,” said the king of Aram, “and I will send you with a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman departed, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of clothing.
7When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”
8Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
10Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.”
11But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy.
12Are not the Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not have washed in them and been cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a rage.
13Naaman’s servants, however, approached him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’?”
14So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean.
15Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
16But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.
17“If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry. For your servant will never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the LORD.
18Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.”
20Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
22“Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘I have just now discovered that two young men from the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’”
23But Naaman insisted, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged Gehazi to accept them. Then he tied up two talents of silver in two bags along with two sets of clothing and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Gehazi.
26But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?
2 Kings 5 recounts one of Scripture's most striking narratives of God's power and grace: the healing of Naaman, a Syrian military commander afflicted with leprosy. Through a humble Israelite servant girl, a reluctant prophet, and simple obedience, God demonstrates that His healing and salvation are available to all who come to Him in faith—regardless of nationality or social status. The chapter also reveals how pride and greed can corrupt even those closest to God's work, as Elisha's servant Gehazi chooses earthly gain over spiritual integrity.
Naaman appears impressive by worldly standards: he is a great man, honored by his king, a mighty warrior, and successful in battle (v. 1). Yet all his earthly prominence cannot cure his leprosy—a disease that rendered a person ceremonially unclean and progressively more isolated under Old Testament law. The introduction of the captive Israelite maid (v. 2) is crucial; though she is a slave in a foreign household, she alone speaks of Elisha's power. Her simple testimony—"Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria!"—plants the seed of hope. Naaman's king immediately responds with abundant resources (v. 5), revealing how readily the powerful act when self-interest is involved. Yet money and status cannot purchase healing from God.
The Syrian king's letter to Israel's king reveals a misunderstanding: he expects the healing to be a political transaction (v. 6). Israel's king, recognizing that only God can heal leprosy, tears his clothes in distress (v. 7), fearing this is a diplomatic trap. But Elisha steps forward with confidence in God's power (v. 8). When Naaman arrives with his military entourage, Elisha does not even meet him personally—instead, he sends a messenger with instructions to dip seven times in the Jordan (v. 10). This affront to Naaman's dignity ignites his rage (v. 11). He expected a dramatic, ceremonial healing befitting his status; instead, he receives a simple command to wash in an obscure river. Naaman's pride rebels against what he perceives as insufficient respect and an inadequate remedy (vv. 11-12).
Naaman's servants provide the turning point with their humble logic (v. 13): if the prophet had demanded something difficult, would he not do it? How much more should he obey a simple command? This gentle rebuke awakens Naaman to his pride. He obeys, and God delivers complete healing—his flesh becomes "like unto the flesh of a little child" (v. 14). In gratitude, Naaman publicly confesses that "there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel" (v. 15) and seeks to honor Elisha with gifts. Elisha's refusal (v. 16) demonstrates that God's grace cannot be purchased or commercialized; it flows freely by His mercy alone. Naaman's request for earth (v. 17) suggests he intends to build an altar to worship the true God even in pagan Syria. His honest confession of weakness regarding Rimmon (vv. 18) shows genuine faith struggling with real-world compromise. Elisha's parting word, "Go in peace," affirms his acceptance before God.
Gehazi's greed destroys what faith built. He lies to Naaman, deceives his master, and accepts what Elisha refused (vv. 20-24). Elisha's supernatural knowledge and moral clarity are evident: he knows Gehazi's heart even in his absence (v. 26). The prophet's curse—that Naaman's leprosy clings to Gehazi and his descendants—is severe but just, demonstrating that proximity to God's power without obedience and integrity brings judgment, not blessing.
Application for Today
This chapter teaches that God's healing and salvation depend entirely on His grace and our obedient faith, not our status, wealth, or worthiness. Like Naaman, we must humble ourselves and obey God's Word, even when it seems inadequate by human standards. Conversely, like Gehazi, we must guard our hearts against greed and dishonesty, which undermine our spiritual authority and witness. True faith produces both transformation and integrity.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 5
5 sections2 Kings 5 recounts one of Scripture's most striking narratives of God's power and grace: the healing of Naaman, a Syrian military commander afflicted with leprosy. Through a humble Israelite servant girl, a reluctant prophet, and simple obedience, God demonstrates that His healing and salvation are available to all who come to Him in faith—regardless of nationality or social status. The chapter also reveals how pride and greed can corrupt even those closest to God's work, as Elisha's servant Gehazi chooses earthly gain over spiritual integrity.
Naaman appears impressive by worldly standards: he is a great man, honored by his king, a mighty warrior, and successful in battle (v. 1). Yet all his earthly prominence cannot cure his leprosy—a disease that rendered a person ceremonially unclean and progressively more isolated under Old Testament law. The introduction of the captive Israelite maid (v. 2) is crucial; though she is a slave in a foreign household, she alone speaks of Elisha's power. Her simple testimony—"Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria!"—plants the seed of hope. Naaman's king immediately responds with abundant resources (v. 5), revealing how readily the powerful act when self-interest is involved. Yet money and status cannot purchase healing from God.
The Syrian king's letter to Israel's king reveals a misunderstanding: he expects the healing to be a political transaction (v. 6). Israel's king, recognizing that only God can heal leprosy, tears his clothes in distress (v. 7), fearing this is a diplomatic trap. But Elisha steps forward with confidence in God's power (v. 8). When Naaman arrives with his military entourage, Elisha does not even meet him personally—instead, he sends a messenger with instructions to dip seven times in the Jordan (v. 10). This affront to Naaman's dignity ignites his rage (v. 11). He expected a dramatic, ceremonial healing befitting his status; instead, he receives a simple command to wash in an obscure river. Naaman's pride rebels against what he perceives as insufficient respect and an inadequate remedy (vv. 11-12).
Naaman's servants provide the turning point with their humble logic (v. 13): if the prophet had demanded something difficult, would he not do it? How much more should he obey a simple command? This gentle rebuke awakens Naaman to his pride. He obeys, and God delivers complete healing—his flesh becomes "like unto the flesh of a little child" (v. 14). In gratitude, Naaman publicly confesses that "there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel" (v. 15) and seeks to honor Elisha with gifts. Elisha's refusal (v. 16) demonstrates that God's grace cannot be purchased or commercialized; it flows freely by His mercy alone. Naaman's request for earth (v. 17) suggests he intends to build an altar to worship the true God even in pagan Syria. His honest confession of weakness regarding Rimmon (vv. 18) shows genuine faith struggling with real-world compromise. Elisha's parting word, "Go in peace," affirms his acceptance before God.
Gehazi's greed destroys what faith built. He lies to Naaman, deceives his master, and accepts what Elisha refused (vv. 20-24). Elisha's supernatural knowledge and moral clarity are evident: he knows Gehazi's heart even in his absence (v. 26). The prophet's curse—that Naaman's leprosy clings to Gehazi and his descendants—is severe but just, demonstrating that proximity to God's power without obedience and integrity brings judgment, not blessing.
This chapter teaches that God's healing and salvation depend entirely on His grace and our obedient faith, not our status, wealth, or worthiness. Like Naaman, we must humble ourselves and obey God's Word, even when it seems inadequate by human standards. Conversely, like Gehazi, we must guard our hearts against greed and dishonesty, which undermine our spiritual authority and witness. True faith produces both transformation and integrity.