2 KINGS 5

NAAMAN IS HEALED OF LEPROSY + TURNS TO GOD

Naaman, the army general of the kingdom of Aram, contracts leprosy. Naaman sends a letter to the king of Israel, asking for help. Although the king does not come to his aid, Elisha is willing to meet with him.

Elisha sends his servant Gehazi to meet Naaman, who instructs him to bathe in the Jordan River seven times to bring healing to his leprosy. Naaman is angry with this news, wanting to meet with Elisha face-to-face and be healed immediately, not told to wash himself in a dirty river. Naaman’s servants convince him to try bathing in the river seven times as Elisha instructed, and he is healed!

Because of his healing, Naaman goes to find Elisha to share; he now believes that the God of Israel is the one true God! God heals Naaman before he became a believer and Naaman responds in faith. Naaman is so confident in God’s presence in Israel, he asks Elisha for some of the dirt off the ground in Israel.

Naaman wants to give Elisha a gift, but Elisha gives God credit for the healing and does not accept any gifts or compensation. Instead, Gehazi, the messenger and servant, runs after Naaman to accept the gift instead. Naaman generously gives Gehazi one hundred and fifty pounds of gold and silver. Gehazi lies about the gifts that he received when confronted by Elisha. Because of his greed and dishonesty, Gehazi becomes infected with leprosy!