2 Kings 5

27 verses

TL;DR

Naaman, a Syrian commander afflicted with leprosy, is healed through the prophet Elisha after refusing to follow the king of Israel’s counsel and eventually washing in the Jordan River.

Summary

The chapter opens with Naaman, a respected Syrian military leader suffering from leprosy, learning of an Israelite prophet who can heal him. The Syrian king sends Naaman, along with a generous ransom, to the king of Israel, who reacts skeptically and advises Elisha to investigate. Elisha invites Naaman to his house, where a messenger instructs him to wash seven times in the Jordan River to be healed. Despite initial reluctance and anger—preferring to be cleansed by the more famed rivers of Damascus—Naaman obeys, and his skin is restored. He publicly declares the Lord of Israel as God and offers a blessing, but Elisha refuses the gift. The chapter then turns to Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, who deceitfully approaches Naaman to claim a reward, causing Naaman’s leprosy to be transferred to Gehazi and his family.

Outline

1. Naaman’s journey from Syria to Israel and the king’s proposal; 2. Elisha’s invitation, Naaman’s obedience, and his healing; 3. Gehazi’s deception and its consequence.

Themes

Faith and obedience; the power of God’s intervention; deception and its repercussions

Keywords

NaamanElishaleprosyhealingJordan RiverSyriaIsraelGehaziprophecyobedience

People

NaamanKing of SyriaKing of IsraelElishaGehaziProphet in SamariaNaaman’s wifeNaaman’s servants

Places

SyriaIsraelSamariaDamascusJordan RiverMount EphraimHouse of RimmonElisha’s houseTower

Things

leprosysilvergoldraimentlettermessengerJordan Riverseven washesblessingearth

Key Verses

2 Kings 5:14: Shows the miraculous healing through obedience
2 Kings 5:15: Naaman’s acknowledgment of Israel’s God
2 Kings 5:27: Consequence of Gehazi’s deceit, revealing moral lesson

Questions

What motivates Naaman’s initial reluctance to obey the prophet’s simple command?
How does the narrative portray the authority of the king of Israel versus that of Elisha?
In what ways does Gehazi’s deception affect his own family and what does this suggest about the nature of deceit?
What does Naaman’s declaration in verse 15 reveal about faith after experiencing divine intervention?
How does the chapter use the motif of washing to symbolize purification?

Sentiment

mixed
Healing and revelation are positive, while deception and its fallout are negative.