2 Kings 5:20

Listen to 2 Kings 5:20
20 1Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ā€œSee, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. 2As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him. ā€

2 Kings 5:20 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 5:20

But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God said
Within himself, observing what had passed:

behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at
his hands that which he brought:
he speaks contemptibly of Naaman, as an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, and reproaches his master for letting him go free, without paying for his cure; when he thought he should have taken what he brought and offered, and given it to needy Israelites, and especially to the sons of the prophets, that wanted it; and perhaps it mostly disturbed him, that he had no share of it himself:

but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of
him;
the word for "somewhat", wanting a letter usually in it, is what is sometimes used for a blot; and Jarchi observes, that Gehazi taking something from Naaman, was a blot unto him, and indeed such an one that he could not wipe off.

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2 Kings 5:20 In-Context

18 In this matter may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon your servant in this matter. ā€
19 He said to him, ā€œGo in peace. ā€But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance,
20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ā€œSee, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him. ā€
21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, ā€œIs all well? ā€
22 And he said, ā€œAll is well. My master has sent me to say, ā€˜There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing. ā€™ā€

Cross References 2

  • 1. 5:20 ch. 4:12
  • 2. 5:20 See Ruth 3:13
The Holy Bible, English Standard VersionĀ® (ESVĀ®) Ā© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025