2 Kings 5
2 Kings 5 recounts the story of Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, who suffered from leprosy. Though a mighty warrior and a respected man, his disease made him an outcast.
The chapter begins with a young Israelite girl, captured in a raid and serving Naaman's wife, informing her mistress about a prophet in Samaria who could cure Naaman. Upon hearing this, the king of Aram sends Naaman with a letter and gifts to the king of Israel, requesting that Naaman be healed.
The king of Israel, fearful of a political trap, is distressed by the request. The prophet Elisha, hearing of the king's concern, sends word that Naaman should be sent to him. Naaman arrives at Elisha's house with his retinue.
Elisha, without even greeting Naaman personally, sends a messenger to instruct him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman is angered by this seemingly simple and dismissive instruction, expecting a more elaborate and impressive ritual. He initially refuses, considering the rivers of Damascus superior to the Jordan.
However, Naaman's servants wisely reason with him, pointing out that if Elisha had demanded something difficult, he would have done it. They convince him to follow the simple instruction. Naaman obeys and washes in the Jordan River seven times, and his flesh is restored, becoming like that of a young boy.
Deeply grateful, Naaman returns to Elisha with his entire company, acknowledging that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel. He offers Elisha a gift, but Elisha refuses to accept it. Naaman then requests two mule-loads of earth to take back to Aram, explaining that he will no longer offer sacrifices to any god but the Lord. He also asks for forgiveness in advance for when he must bow in the temple of Rimmon alongside his king. Elisha dismisses him in peace.
After Naaman leaves, Elisha's servant, Gehazi, motivated by greed, runs after Naaman and lies to him, claiming that Elisha has changed his mind and requires silver and garments for two young prophets who have arrived. Naaman generously gives Gehazi more than he asked for.
Gehazi hides the gifts and returns to Elisha, lying about his whereabouts. Elisha, knowing what Gehazi has done through divine insight, pronounces Naaman's leprosy upon Gehazi and his descendants as punishment for his greed and deceit. Gehazi then leaves Elisha's presence, afflicted with leprosy, as white as snow.
The chapter illustrates the power of God, the importance of humility and obedience, the universality of God's grace (extending even to a foreign commander), and the consequences of greed and dishonesty.