2 Kings 5:1-27
Q.1. What impresses you about the testimony of the Israeli slave girl? – (2 Kgs.5:1-4)
This is the testimony of Naaman – … captain of the army of the king of Aram, a great man and highly respected by his master … a valiant warrior, but he was a leper (2 Kgs.5:1). It would have been incredibly difficult for a young girl to have been taken hundreds of kilometres out of her homeland (2 Kgs.5:2). However, she was a faithful girl who had grown to love her mistress and her master, Naaman, the captain of the Syrian army. She had heard stories of the prophet Elisha … and she believed them. Therefore, when Naaman became sick with leprosy, this servant girl pleaded with her mistress to urge Naaman to seek a cure from the prophet of God in Israel (2 Kgs.5:3-4). She had faith, compassion, and courage.
Q.2. How did the king display their ignorance of God and His ways? – (2 Kgs.5:5-8)
If a captive girl knew about Elisha, the king of Israel would surely have heard the reports. However, when Naaman arrived on his mission to seek a cure, the king mistook this as an excuse for starting another war (2 Kgs.5:5-7). Naaman and the king of Syria mistakenly thought that they could buy a cure from God. The fanfare of the foreign visit was brought to the attention of the prophet Elisha (2 Kgs.5:8).
Q.3. Why did Elisha seem to snub Naaman? How did his servants help him overcome his pride? How significant was his transformation? – (2 Kgs.5:8-19)
Elisha tried to avoid being the centre of attention because he understood that this power came from God. The report he received also told him about the pride of this army chief. Elisha’s low-key response to Naaman had the desired effect (2 Kgs.5:8-10). Naaman angrily strode off with his earthbound logic. He expected more recognition from the man of God. As well, – the muddy Jordan in no way compared with the mighty rivers of Syria. Fortunately, Naaman’s servants pointed out the weakness in his logic (2 Kgs.5:11-12). Would Naaman not have done almost anything to pay for his cure? Why not – Wash and be clean? (2 Kgs.5:13). We can imagine the doubts, as he plunged into the water each time, while finding that the leprosy still persisted. However, after he – … dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; … his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean (2 Kgs.5:14). His leprosy was gone, and there was also a greater transformation. Naaman now believed in the God of Elisha and took steps to ensure his heart would always be inclined toward the God of Israel when he returned to Syria (2 Kgs.5:15-19).
Q.4. What made Gehazi’s greed particularly odious? How much did Gehazi lose? – (2 Kgs.5:16, 20-27)
Naaman was so grateful that he offered to reward Elisha generously. However, Elisha responded – “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will take nothing.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused (2 Kgs.5:16). Elisha was adamant that all the glory belonged to God, and that Naaman should only focus on Him and not any man. However, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, had a very different heart. He ran off after Naaman and made up a story about a sudden need that had arisen. He asked for a talent of silver and two changes of clothing. The grateful captain gave him an added talent of silver (2 Kgs.5:20-24). We can imagine that Gehazi could hardly believe his blessings UNTIL he arrived home to the prophet. God had revealed to Elisha the greed of his servant. God has appointed a time to reward His servants in His own good time – Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female servants? (2 Kgs.5:26). Sadly, added to Gehazi’s ill-gotten gains, was an immediate judgment on him and his descendants – … the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever (2 Kgs.5:27). As Jesus said about those who seek instant recognition – they have their reward in full (c.f. Mt.6:2, 5, 16).