Story of Naaman and Gehazi : A Contrast in Obedience

An Army  Commander and Prophets's servant struggle with physical and spiritual Leprosy

The nation of Syria, located mostly north of Israel, first came under the rule of the children of Israel in the days of King David. When his son King Solomon died and Israel was split into two kingdoms, Syria rebelled, thus initiating about 100 years of tense political relations. Open warfare often flared between the Syrian kings (Ben-hadad, Hazael, Ben-hadad II, Rezin) and the kings of Israel (Ahab, Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jeroboam II). Between these two nations, however, there also existed periods of official peace, interspersed with occasional skirmishes.

Thus, when a letter from the king of Syria (probably Ben-hadad II) arrived for Jehoram, king of Israel, there was great concern. Accompanying the letter was a huge amount of silver and gold, and 10 sets of clothing (see 2 Kgs. 5:5–7). Delivering it all was a man named Naaman, “captain of the host of the king of Syria.” He was a “great man with his master [the king], and honourable … : he was also a mighty man in valour” (2 Kgs. 5:1). The presence of such a man in Jehoram’s court must have stirred not only fear but pity, for Naaman was a leper. His face most likely had reddish lesions, a few knoblike swellings, and open sores. How miserable he must have looked!

Naaman was also suffering from a form of spiritual leprosy: ignorance of the true and living God and His commandments, for Syrians were worshipers of the false god Rimmon (see Bible Dictionary, “Rimmon,” 763) and had built a temple to his name at Damascus (see 2 Kgs. 5:18).

Naaman Learns What to Do

In Naaman’s home in Syria was a “little maid” taken captive out of the land of Israel during one of the military campaigns. She was a servant to Naaman’s wife, and it was her simple expression of faith to her mistress that had led Naaman to Israel’s king. She had said, “Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy” (2 Kgs. 5:3).

King Jehoram sent Naaman to the prophet Elisha to be cleansed of his leprosy. To Naaman’s pleading, Elisha said through his servant, Gehazi, “Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean” (2 Kgs. 5:10). Although it seemed like an unusual command, it was a clear instruction from the prophet of God. The mighty Naaman was taken aback and confused. He had anticipated that the Israelite prophet would work a miracle on the spot—calling on the name of the Lord and, in a sweeping demonstration of great power, “strike his hand over the place” to cure his leprosy (2 Kgs. 5:11). He became upset and in a fit of anger stormed away from Elisha’s house.
Naaman Obeys

Naaman’s servants were the first to exercise faith in the words of the prophet. To their captain they reasoned: If the Lord’s prophet had told him to do “some great thing,” wouldn’t he have done it? How much easier, therefore, to do a small or simple thing, like bathing in the river Jordan? (see 2 Kgs. 5:13). The now humbled Naaman accepted his enlightened servants’ advice and, in an act of great faith, chose to obey. “Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2 Kgs. 5:14). Returning to Elisha with his retinue of soldiers and servants, Naaman joined his testimony with that of the little Israelite maid: “Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel” (2 Kgs. 5:15). With his physical leprosy gone, Naaman was also healed of his spiritual leprosy by an awakening of faith in the true God.

Gehazi the Servant

Gehazi was Elisha’s trusted representative and messenger who had been with him for several years. Gehazi knew Elisha was a prophet of the one true God. He had personally witnessed God’s power in the miraculous raising of the Shunammite woman’s son from the dead (see 2 Kgs. 4:8–37), the neutralizing of poison in a vegetable soup (see 2 Kgs. 4:38–41), and the feeding of 100 men with but 20 loaves of bread (see 2 Kgs. 4:42–44). If anyone should have known and obeyed the commandments of God, it was Gehazi.

When a joyful Naaman stood before Gehazi and Elisha, with skin clean and pure, Naaman pleaded, “Take a blessing [gift] of thy servant.” But despite repeated urgings, Elisha replied, “I will receive none,” and Naaman departed (1 Kgs. 15:15–16).

After he had traveled some distance, Naaman noticed Gehazi running to catch up with him. Naaman got down from his chariot and went forth to meet him, saying, “Is all well?” Gehazi then said what he surely knew in his own heart was a lie: He told Naaman that Elisha had sent him to get some money and clothing for two destitute young men who had just arrived (see2 Kgs. 5:21–22). Naaman was pleased with the request; he wanted to do something for the Lord and Elisha. He gave generously, even more than was asked, sending two servants to help Gehazi carry the goods back. As they arrived in sight of Elisha’s home, Gehazi dismissed the servants and hid the goods in his house.

Soon the servant stood before his master, who asked where he had been. Gehazi replied that he had not gone anywhere, compounding his deception. Elisha then revealed his divinely given knowledge of Gehazi’s lies. And for Gehazi’s disobedience, Elisha cursed him: “The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee. … And [Gehazi] went out from his presence a leper as white as snow” (2 Kgs. 5:27).