Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God ,.... He listened to the reasoning of his servant, and his passion subsided, and did as the prophet ordered him: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child ; clear and fresh, soft and tender as an infant, quite new flesh: and he was clean ; from the leprosy, and all the filthy symptoms of it. read more
Then went he down - He felt the force of this reasoning, and made a trial, probably expecting little success. Like unto the flesh of a little child - The loathsome scurf was now entirely removed; his flesh assumed the appearance and health of youth; and the whole mass of his blood, and other juices, became purified, refined, and exalted! How mighty is God! What great things can he do by the simplest and feeblest of means! read more
The lessons taught by the story of Naaman. "The story of Naaman," says Menken, "is a worthy part of the history of those revelations and manifestations of the living God which, in their connection and continuation through many centuries, and in their tendency towards one goal and object, were designed to plant upon earth the knowledge and the worship of the true God! But it offers besides to our consideration a rich store of reflections , in which neither heart nor understanding can... read more
THE CURE OF NAAMAN 'S LEPROSY . HIS GRATITUDE ; AND THE SIN OF GEHAZI , The historian continues his narrative of Elisha's miracles, commenced in 2 Kings 2:1-25 ; and gives in the present chapter a very graphic and complete account of two which were especially remarkable, and which stood in a peculiar relation the one towards the other. One was the removal of leprosy; the other, its infliction. One was wrought on a foreigner and a man of eminence; the other, on a... read more
History of Naaman's disease and cure, illustrative of certain forces in the life of man. "Now Naaman, captain of the host of the King of Syria, was a great man with his master," etc. Naaman, in a worldly point of view, was a great man—one of the magnates of his age. But he was the victim of a terrible disease. "He was a leper." Leprosy was a terrible disease —hereditary , painful , contagious , loathsome , and fatal . In all these respects it resembled sin. Naaman's disease and... read more
Naaman the Syrian. This case of Naaman is an illustration of the imperfection that there is in all things human. Naaman was commander-in-chief of the Syrian army. Not only so, but he had seen service. He had won his spurs in active warfare. He had led his troops to victory. "By him the Lord had given deliverance to Syria" Hence, as we read, "he was a great man with his master, and honorable." No doubt he had been greeted on his return from battle, as victorious generals were greeted then and... read more
The story of Naaman: 2. The suggestive cure. The cure which Naaman came to seek was, nevertheless, obtained by him. We have here— I. THE INTERPOSITION OF ELISHA . Naaman was on the point of being sent away, when Elisha interposed. God's prophet vindicates God's honor. 1. Elisha sends to the king . " He sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes?" etc; His words were: 2. Naaman comes to Elisha . His horses and chariot drive up to Elisha's... read more
Then went he down ; i.e. descended into the deep Jordan valley from the highland of Samaria—a descent of above a thousand feet. The nearest route would involve a journey of about twenty-five miles. And dipped himself seven times in Jordan — i.e. followed exactly the prophet's directions in 2 Kings 5:10 — according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child —literally, of a little lad — and he was clean. Not only was the leprosy... read more
Seven times - Compare 1 Kings 18:43. In both cases a somewhat severe trial was made of the individual’s faith. Compare the seven compassings of Jericho, and the sudden fall of the walls Joshua 6:3-20. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 5:9-14
We have here the cure of Naaman's leprosy. I. The short and plain direction which the prophet gave him, with assurance of success. Naaman designed to do honour to Elisha when he came in his chariot, and with all his retinue, to Elisha's door, 2 Kgs. 5:9. Those that showed little respect to prophets at other times were very complaisant to them when they needed them. He attended at Elisha's door as a beggar for an alms. Those that would be cleansed from the spiritual leprosy must wait at... read more