2 Kings 5:21-27

21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, ¹“Is all well? ”

22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from ²the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and ³two changes of clothing. ’”

23 And Naaman said, ⁴“Be pleased to accept two talents. ” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi.

24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed.

25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi? ” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere. ”

26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?

27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever. ” So he went out from his presence ⁵a leper, like snow.

2 Kings 5:21-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 5

This chapter gives an account of the leprosy of Naaman the Syrian, and of the cure of it by Elisha; how he came to hear of him, and the recommendation he had from the king of Syria to the king of Israel, 2Ki 5:1-8, who, coming to Elisha's house, was ordered to dip himself seven times in Jordan, which made him depart in wrath; but one of his servants persuaded him to do it, and he did, and was cured, 2Ki 5:9-14, upon which he returned to Elisha, and offered him a present, which he refused, 2Ki 5:15-19 but Gehazi, his servant, ran after him with a lie in his mouth, and obtained it, and returned to his master with another, for which he was smitten with the leprosy of Naaman, 2Ki 5:20-27.

Cross References

• 1. 5:21 ch. 9:11
• 2. 5:22 See Josh. 24:33
• 3. 5:22 ver. 5
• 4. 5:23 ch. 6:3
• 5. 5:27 Ex. 4:6; Num. 12:10; [ch. 15:5]