2 Kings 5

Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria; he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

The Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little girl, and she waited on Naaman’s wife.

She said to her mistress, “I wish that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.”

Someone went in and told his lord, saying, “The girl who is from the land of Israel said this.”

The king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” He departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing.

He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, “Now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.”

When the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal a man of his leprosy? But please consider and see how he seeks a quarrel against me.”

It was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.”

But Naaman was angry, and went away and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leper.’

Aren’t Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.

His servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

Then went he down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, “See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.”

But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” He urged him to take it; but he refused.

Naaman said, “If not, then, please let two mules’ load of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will from now on offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD.

In this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon. When I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant in this thing.”

He said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a little way.

But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.”

So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?”

He said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Behold, even now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’”

Naaman said, “Be pleased to take two talents.” He urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants; and they carried them before him.

When he came to the hill, he took them from their hand, and stored them in the house. Then he let the men go, and they departed.

But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you come from, Gehazi?” He said, “Your servant went nowhere.”

He said to him, “Didn’t my heart go with you when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive groves and vineyards, and sheep and cattle, and male servants and female servants?

Therefore the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your offspring forever.” He went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter recounts the healing of Naaman, a Syrian military commander afflicted with leprosy, through the prophet Elisha’s divinely empowered word. It highlights God’s mercy extending beyond Israel to a foreigner who comes to confess the God of Israel as the only true God, while simultaneously exposing the spiritual corruption of Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, who deceives for personal gain and is struck with leprosy. The narrative contrasts genuine faith and humility with pride and greed, showing how God works through simple obedience and sovereign grace.

Flow.

A captive Israelite girl testifies to her mistress about Elisha’s power to heal, prompting Naaman’s journey to Israel with royal endorsement and riches.
The king of Israel misunderstands the request, but Elisha intervenes, directing Naaman to come to him to learn that there is a prophet in Israel.
Naaman is instructed to wash in the Jordan seven times, reacts with anger at the simplicity of the command, but obeys after being reasoned with by his servants and is miraculously healed.
Naaman returns, confesses faith in the God of Israel, and offers a gift, which Elisha refuses; Gehazi, however, pursues Naaman, lies to obtain riches, and is punished with Naaman’s former leprosy.

Connections.
Following chapter 4, which records a series of miracles showing Elisha as a man of God who brings life, provision, and restoration, this chapter continues the pattern of prophetic authority but expands its reach to a Gentile, demonstrating the universal scope of God’s saving power. The theme of true versus false faith set here—Naaman’s humble trust contrasted with Gehazi’s hypocrisy—prepares for chapter 6, where Elisha’s prophetic insight again protects God’s people, while the dangers of greed and deception remain latent in the community of faith.

What it teaches.
God sovereignly bestows mercy on those outside Israel when they respond in faith and obedience (WCF 5.8), as Naaman’s cleansing illustrates the power of God’s word obeyed, even in humble form (HC LD 25, Q&A 66). The rejection of idolatry and exclusive devotion to the Lord is affirmed in Naaman’s request for Israelite soil and his plea for pardon in bowing in Rimmon’s temple (WCF 22.2), while Gehazi’s punishment underscores the seriousness of duplicity and covetousness in those who serve under God’s prophets (WLC Q&A 107). The chapter reinforces that God’s grace is not earned but received by faith, and that those who exploit sacred office for gain fall under severe judgment (WCF 19.4).

Apply.
Obedience to God’s simple commands brings cleansing, not because of the act itself, but because He ordains to work through humble submission to His word.

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