2 Kings 5:12

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 5:12

Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel ?.... Abana is, in the marginal reading, called Amana, and so the Targum; perhaps from the Mount Amana, from whence it sprung, a mountain in Syria F7 Tacit. Annal. l. 2. c. 83. , mentioned with Lebanon, Song of Solomon 4:8 . This river is thought to be the Chrysorrhoas of Pliny F8 Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 18. , and other writers; there are no traces of its name, or of the following, to be met with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 5:12

Are not Abana and Pharpar - At present these rivers do not exist by these names; and where they are we know not; nor whether they were the Orontes and Chrysorroes. Mr. Maundrell, who traveled over all this ground, could find no vestige of the names Abana and Pharpar. The river Barrady he accurately describes: it has its source in Antilibanus; and, after having plentifully watered the city of Damascus and the gardens, dividing into three branches, (one of which goes through the city,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 5:1-19

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 5:1-27

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 5:1-27

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 5:4-19

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 5:8-19

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 5:12

Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? The "rivers of Damascus" are streams of great freshness and beauty. The principal one is the Barada, probably the Abaua of the present passage, which, rising in the Antilibanus range, and flowing through a series of romantic glens, bursts finally from the mountains through a deep gorge and scatters itself over the plain. One branch passes right through the city of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 5:12

The Abana is the Barada, or true river of Damascus, which, rising in the anti-Libanus, flows westward from its foot and forms the oasis within which Damascus is placed. The Pharpar is usually identified with the Awaaj.Naaman thinks that, if washing is to cure him, his own rivers may serve the purpose. Their water was brighter, clearer, and colder than that of Jordan. read more

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