Naaman, Commander of the Army of Syria

Background and Status

Naaman served as the commander of the army for the King of Syria during the 9th century BC. The biblical text emphasizes his importance, noting he was a "great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded" (2 Kings 5:1). Interestingly, the writer of Kings attributes the military successes of Syria—often an adversary of Israel—to the providence of the LORD (Yahweh), indicating that God’s influence extended beyond the borders of the Hebrew kingdoms. Despite his "mighty man of valor" status, Naaman’s life was clouded by leprosy. While the term likely refers to various infectious skin conditions rather than modern Hansen's disease, it remained a significant social and physical burden.

The catalyst for Naaman’s healing came from an unlikely source: a young Israelite girl who had been taken captive during Aramean raids. Serving Naaman’s wife, she suggested that the prophet in Samaria (Elisha) could cure him. This recommendation moved Naaman to seek permission from his king to travel to Israel, carrying a letter of introduction and a massive fortune in silver, gold, and clothing as a tribute for his healing.

The Encounter with Elisha

Upon arriving in Samaria, Naaman first visited the King of Israel, who reacted with despair, fearing the Syrian king was seeking a pretext for war by demanding a miraculous cure. However, Elisha sent word to the king to send Naaman to him so the commander would know "there is a prophet in Israel" (2 Kings 5:8).

When Naaman arrived at Elisha’s house with his full entourage of horses and chariots, the prophet did not greet him personally. Instead, Elisha sent a messenger with a simple instruction: "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean." Naaman was initially insulted by the lack of ceremony and the choice of the muddy Jordan River over the superior waters of Damascus (the Abana and Pharpar). It was only after his servants urged him to try the simple task that Naaman relented. After dipping seven times in the Jordan, his flesh was restored to that of a young child.

Conversion and the Theft of Gehazi

Following his healing, Naaman returned to Elisha and made a profound confession of faith: "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel" (2 Kings 5:15). He attempted to reward Elisha with gifts, but the prophet steadfastly refused. In a singular act of devotion, Naaman requested two mule-loads of Israelite soil to take back to Syria, intending to worship the LORD on holy ground while acknowledging the difficulty of his official duties, which required him to assist his king in the temple of the god Rimmon.

The story concludes with a stark contrast in character. Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, secretly pursued Naaman to solicit the gifts Elisha had refused. Naaman, showing generosity and respect, gave Gehazi even more than he asked for. However, upon returning to Elisha, Gehazi was confronted for his greed and was struck with the leprosy that had previously afflicted Naaman.

Spiritual Significance

Naaman’s story is a foundational text regarding God's grace toward the Gentiles. By healing a foreign commander—a man who had led armies against Israel—God demonstrated that His mercy was not restricted by ethnicity or national borders. Naaman’s transformation from a proud military leader to a humble petitioner serves as a model for the necessity of humility in the face of divine instruction.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ referenced Naaman to illustrate that God often finds more faith among foreigners than among His own people. Speaking in the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus noted that while there were many lepers in Israel during Elisha’s time, none were cleansed except Naaman the Syrian (Luke 4:27). This statement so angered his listeners that they attempted to kill him, underscoring the radical nature of Naaman's inclusion in the narrative of God's redemptive work.