Naaman
“Pleasantness”
Summary
Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army who was cured of leprosy by the prophet Elisha after reluctantly following his instructions to wash seven times in the Jordan River.
☩Position and Affliction
Naaman was commander-in-chief of the army of Syria and held a high place in the esteem of King Benhadad II. Through his valor and abilities he had become the lord in waiting nearest to the king, whom he accompanied when the king went to worship in the temple of Rimmon. A Jewish tradition identifies him with the archer whose arrow struck Ahab with his mortal wound at Ramoth-Gilead, through which the Lord had given deliverance to Syria. Despite his greatness, Naaman was afflicted with leprosy, though unlike in Israel, this did not disqualify him from public service.
☩The Healing
A young Israelite girl who served Naaman's wife told her mistress of a prophet in Samaria who could cure her master's leprosy. Armed with a letter from his king to Joram king of Israel, Naaman came to Samaria expecting to be cured. When Elisha sent word merely to wash seven times in the Jordan, Naaman was offended by what he considered incivility and the humiliation of washing in Israel's river rather than the rivers of Damascus. His servants reasoned with him, and he relented. After dipping himself seven times in the Jordan, he rose from the waters completely cleansed. The narrative demonstrates that God's blessing comes through faith and obedience, not through human pride or status.
☩Confession and Request
Naaman returned to Elisha full of gratitude, avowing his conviction that the God of Israel was great beyond all gods and declaring that henceforth he would worship Him only. He offered rich gifts to the prophet, who resolutely refused them. Naaman requested permission to take two mules' burden of earth from Israel, probably to build an altar to Jehovah in Damascus. He also asked pardon for continuing to accompany his master in the temple of Rimmon, and Elisha dismissed him with the words 'Go in peace.'
☩New Testament Reference
Jesus referred to Naaman's healing in His sermon at Nazareth to illustrate God's grace extending beyond Israel. He pointed out that there were many lepers in Israel in Elisha's time, but none was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian. This teaching enraged His hearers because it implied that God's blessings were not exclusively for Israel, foreshadowing the gospel going to the Gentiles.
Related Verses15 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Naaman," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Naaman," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Naaman," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).