Naaman is healed

Naaman was captain of the Syrian army. He was important to his king and known as a mighty man, but he had leprosy.

A young Israelite girl had been taken captive by the Syrians and served Naaman's wife. She said that the prophet in Samaria could heal Naaman. Naaman's king sent him to Israel with a letter and valuable gifts.

The king of Israel became upset when he read the letter. He knew he could not heal Naaman. When Elisha heard about it, he sent word that Naaman should come to him.

Naaman arrived at Elisha's house with horses and a chariot. Elisha did not come outside. Instead, he sent a messenger telling Naaman to wash in the Jordan seven times.

Naaman became angry. He had expected Elisha to come out and do something dramatic, and he thought the rivers of Damascus were better. His servants gently asked why he would refuse such a simple instruction.

Naaman listened. He dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, just as Elisha had said. His flesh became clean.

Naaman returned to Elisha and said that now he knew there was no God in all the earth but in Israel. He offered Elisha a gift, but Elisha refused it. Later Elisha told Naaman to go in peace.

Naaman was captain of the army of the king of Syria. Second Kings describes him as great, honourable and mighty in valour. It also says the Lord had given deliverance to Syria through him. Yet Naaman had leprosy. The account therefore begins with a powerful military commander who could lead armies but could not remove his own disease.

During Syrian raids, a young girl had been taken captive from Israel and came to serve Naaman's wife. She told her mistress that the prophet in Samaria could recover Naaman from his leprosy. The report reached Naaman and then the king of Syria, who sent Naaman to Israel with a letter, silver, gold and changes of clothing.

The king of Israel read the letter and tore his clothes. He said he was not God, with power to kill and make alive, and he suspected the Syrian king was seeking a quarrel. Elisha heard what had happened and sent word that Naaman should come to him so he would know there was a prophet in Israel.

Naaman arrived at Elisha's door with horses and a chariot. Elisha sent a messenger telling him to wash in the Jordan seven times and be clean. Naaman became angry. He had expected Elisha to come out personally, call on the Lord and move his hand over the diseased place. He also argued that the rivers of Damascus were better than Israel's waters.

Naaman's servants approached him and reasoned that if the prophet had asked for some great deed, he would have done it. Naaman then went to the Jordan and dipped himself seven times according to Elisha's word. His flesh became like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Naaman returned to Elisha and declared that there was no God in all the earth but in Israel. He urged Elisha to accept a gift, but Elisha refused. Naaman then said he would no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods but to the Lord. He also asked pardon concerning his duty of accompanying his master into the house of Rimmon. Elisha sent him away in peace.