Naaman Healed of Leprosy

Naaman, the commander of the army for the king of Syria, was a great man and highly regarded because the Lord had given victory to Syria through him. However, the text states he was a leper. A young girl captured from Israel suggested that a prophet in Samaria could heal him. Consequently, Naaman traveled with horses, chariots, and gifts to the house of Elisha (2 Kings 5:1-9). Elisha did not meet him in person but sent a messenger to tell Naaman to wash in the Jordan seven times to be restored. Naaman became angry, questioning why the rivers of Damascus were not better than the waters of Israel, but his servants persuaded him to obey the prophet's word.

Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times according to the saying of the man of God. His flesh was restored like that of a little child and he became clean (2 Kings 5:10-14). He returned to Elisha to acknowledge that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. Although Naaman urged Elisha to accept a blessing or gift, Elisha refused. Naaman then requested two mule-loads of earth to take back with him, vowing to offer burnt offerings to no other god but the Lord. He also asked for pardon when he would have to accompany his master into the temple of Rimmon.

After Naaman departed, Elisha's servant Gehazi pursued him, desiring to take something from the Syrian. Gehazi lied to Naaman, claiming Elisha had sent him to request a talent of silver and two changes of clothes for two visiting young men from the mountains of Ephraim. Naaman gave him two talents and the clothes. When Gehazi returned, he lied to Elisha about where he had been. Elisha, knowing what had occurred, declared that the leprosy of Naaman would cling to Gehazi and his descendants forever (2 Kings 5:20-27). Gehazi then left Elisha's presence a leper, white as snow.