2 Kings 5:1-7 - Homilies By J. Orr

The story of Naaman: 1. The disinterested maiden.

The story of the great Syrian captain, who was healed of his leprosy and brought to the knowledge of the true God through the instrumentality of a captive Hebrew maid directing him to Elisha, is one of the most beautiful, as it is one of the richest in gospel suggestion, of the narratives of the Old Testament. Our Lord refers to it in his discourse at Nazareth, as showing that it is not always the direct possessors of privileges who know best how to take advantage of them. "Many lepers were in Israel," etc. ( Luke 4:27 ).

I. THE GREAT MAN 'S LEPROSY . The story opens by introducing us to Naaman, the captain of the host of the King of Syria.

1. So much , and yet a cross . On this distinguished man Fortune seemed to have lavished her utmost favors. He was

2. The cross a mercy in disguise . As it proved, this grief of Naaman's became his salvation. It brought him under the notice of the little Hebrew maid, led to his visit to Elisha, ended in his cure and his conversion to the faith of the God of Israel. He was one who could say, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted" ( Psalms 119:71 ). How often are seeming crosses and trials thus overruled for good! "Men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them" ( Job 37:21 ). The evangelical application of the story is aided by the fact that leprosy is so impressive a type of sin—insidious, progressive, corrupting, fatal.

II. THE SLAVE - GIRL 'S ADVICE . It was God's design to show mercy to Naaman, for his own glory, as well as for a testimony that the Gentiles were not outside the scope of his grace. The instrument in accomplishing that design was a little Hebrew maid.

1. Her presence in Naaman ' s house . She had been taken in a marauding expedition, and brought to Syria as a captive. Sold, perhaps, like Joseph, in the slave-market, she had been purchased as an attendant for Naanaan's wife. Her presence in the great captain's household was thus:

2. Her helpful suggestion . Slave though she was, the little maid was in possession of a secret which the great Naaman did not know, and which was worth "thousands of gold and silver" ( Psalms 119:72 ) to him. She dropped a hint to her mistress, "Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria!" etc. Her suggestion was indicative of:

We learn from this part of the story

III. THE ARROGANT KING 'S EPISTLE . The news of what the little maid had said soon spread abroad, and came first to the ears of Naaman, then to the ears of the King of Syria (Benhadad?).

1. The King of Syria ' s epistle . The monarch valued his general, and was ready to take any steps to further his cure. Accordingly, he indited a letter, and sent Naaman with it, with much pomp and state, to the King of Israel (Jehoram?). He sends:

2. The King of Israel ' s distress . When the King of Israel read the communication, he was both indignant and distressed. As he viewed the letter, it was: