Naaman commanded the army of the king of Syria. He was great and honored by his master because God had given Syria victory through him. He was a mighty soldier, but he had leprosy.
A young girl from Israel had been taken captive in a Syrian raid and served Naaman’s wife. She said that the prophet in Samaria could heal Naaman. Her words were reported to the king, who sent Naaman to Israel’s king with a letter. Naaman took ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing. A talent was a unit of weight used for metals.
The king of Israel read the letter asking him to heal Naaman and tore his clothes. He said he was not God, able to kill and make alive, and that Syria’s king was looking for a quarrel. Elisha told the king to send Naaman to him so that he would know there was a prophet in Israel.
Naaman came with horses and chariots and stood outside Elisha’s house. Elisha did not come out but sent a messenger telling him to wash seven times in the Jordan. Then his flesh would be restored and he would be clean.
Naaman became angry. He had expected Elisha to come out, call on God, and wave his hand over the diseased place. He complained that the rivers of Damascus were better than Israel’s waters and turned to leave.
His servants approached him and asked whether he would have done something difficult if the prophet had commanded it. Why not obey when he had simply been told to wash and be clean? Naaman went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan as the man of God had said. His flesh was restored like that of a young child, and he was clean.
Naaman returned with his whole company and declared that he now knew there was no God in all the earth except in Israel. He urged Elisha to accept a gift, but Elisha refused. Naaman asked for enough earth for two mules to carry, saying he would offer sacrifice only to the LORD. When his master leaned on his hand to bow in Rimmon’s temple, however, Naaman would bow too. He asked for pardon for this, and Elisha told him to go in peace.
Elisha’s servant Gehazi pursued Naaman and falsely claimed that Elisha had sent him to ask for silver and clothing for two young men from the prophets’ group. Naaman gave him two talents of silver and two changes of clothing. Gehazi hid them in his house and denied going anywhere when Elisha questioned him. Elisha said his heart had gone with him and asked whether it was the time to receive money and possessions. Naaman’s leprosy would cling to Gehazi and his descendants forever. Gehazi left his presence leprous, white as snow.