◄ 2 Kings 5:26 ►
But Elisha questioned him, "Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?
Study Bible
But Elisha questioned him
Elisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, often served as God's mouthpiece to the people of Israel. His questioning of Gehazi, his servant, indicates a moment of divine insight and authority. Prophets in the Old Testament were known for their ability to discern truth and expose wrongdoing, as seen in other instances like Nathan confronting David (2 Samuel 12:1-7).

“Did not my spirit go with you
This phrase suggests a supernatural awareness or discernment granted to Elisha by God. It reflects the close relationship between the prophet and God, where Elisha is able to perceive events beyond his physical presence. This mirrors the New Testament gift of discernment (1 Corinthians 12:10) and foreshadows the omniscience of Christ (John 1:48).

when the man got down from his chariot to meet you?
The man referred to is Naaman, a Syrian commander who was healed of leprosy by Elisha. The act of getting down from a chariot signifies respect and urgency. In ancient Near Eastern culture, chariots were symbols of power and status, and dismounting from one was a gesture of humility or deference.

Is this the time to accept money and clothing,
Elisha's rhetorical question highlights the inappropriateness of Gehazi's actions. Prophets were expected to serve without seeking personal gain, emphasizing reliance on God rather than material wealth. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus instructs His disciples to freely give as they have received (Matthew 10:8).

olive groves and vineyards,
These items represent wealth and prosperity in ancient Israelite society. Olive oil and wine were staples of the economy and daily life, often used in trade and religious rituals. The mention of these goods underscores the gravity of Gehazi's greed and the temptation to prioritize earthly riches over spiritual integrity.

sheep and oxen,
Livestock were valuable assets in agrarian societies, symbolizing wealth and sustenance. The inclusion of sheep and oxen in Elisha's rebuke points to the comprehensive nature of Gehazi's covetousness, as he sought to amass a wide range of possessions.

menservants and maidservants?
Servants were considered part of one's household wealth and status. The desire for servants indicates a longing for power and control, contrasting with the servant leadership exemplified by Jesus Christ (Mark 10:45). Elisha's question serves as a reminder of the prophet's role to serve God and others selflessly, without succumbing to the allure of power and materialism.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elisha
A prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for his miracles and strong stance on faithfulness to God.

2. Gehazi
Elisha's servant who succumbed to greed and deceit, leading to his downfall.

3. Naaman
A Syrian commander healed of leprosy by Elisha, who initially offered gifts in gratitude.

4. Israel
The northern kingdom where Elisha ministered, often struggling with idolatry and unfaithfulness.

5. Chariot
Represents Naaman's status and wealth, highlighting the temptation Gehazi faced.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Greed
Gehazi's account warns against the destructive power of greed, which can lead to spiritual and physical consequences.

Integrity in Service
As servants of God, maintaining integrity is crucial. Gehazi's deceit contrasts with Elisha's faithfulness.

God's Omniscience
Elisha's awareness of Gehazi's actions reminds us that nothing is hidden from God, who sees and knows all.

The Consequences of Sin
Gehazi's punishment illustrates that sin has real and lasting consequences, affecting not just the individual but also their community.

Contentment in God's Provision
Elisha's refusal of Naaman's gifts teaches the importance of being content with God's provision and not seeking material gain.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Gehazi's account illustrate the dangers of prioritizing material wealth over spiritual integrity?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our service to God remains pure and free from deceit, as seen in Elisha's example?

3. How does the concept of God's omniscience, as demonstrated in this passage, influence our daily decisions and actions?

4. What are some modern-day examples of how greed can lead to spiritual and relational consequences, similar to Gehazi's experience?

5. How can we cultivate contentment in our lives, drawing from Elisha's refusal of Naaman's gifts and Paul's teachings in 1 Timothy 6?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 5
Ananias and Sapphira's deceit in the early church parallels Gehazi's actions, emphasizing the seriousness of lying to God's representatives.

Matthew 6
Jesus' teaching on storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth connects to Elisha's rebuke of Gehazi's materialism.

1 Timothy 6
Paul's warning about the love of money as a root of all kinds of evil reflects Gehazi's downfall due to greed.
Sermons
History of Naaman's Disease and CureD. Thomas 2 Kings 5:1-27
A Voice of WarningJ. R. Macduff, D. D.2 Kings 5:20-27
Avarice a Fatal ViceSpurgeon, Charles Haddon2 Kings 5:20-27
Deception Detected and PunishedHomiletic Magazine2 Kings 5:20-27
Defilement of God's Work by Covetous MenG. B. Ryley.2 Kings 5:20-27
Elision and GehaziC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 5:20-27
GehaziJ. Parker, D. D.2 Kings 5:20-27
GehaziT. Jackson.2 Kings 5:20-27
GehaziW. Jay.2 Kings 5:20-27
GehaziHomilist2 Kings 5:20-27
One Man's Blessing Another Man's CurseG. B. Ryley.2 Kings 5:20-27
The Covetousness of GehaziT. J. Finlayson.2 Kings 5:20-27
The Story of Naaman: 3. Gehazi's FalsehoodJ. Orr 2 Kings 5:20-27
When Disguises are RemovedH. O. Mackey.2 Kings 5:20-27
People
Aram, Elisha, Gehazi, Naaman, Syrians
Places
Abana River, Damascus, Jordan River, Pharpar, Samaria, Syria
Topics
Accept, Chariot, Clothes, Didn't, Flocks, Garments, Got, Groves, Heart, Herds, Maidservants, Meet, Menservants, Money, Olive, Receive, Spirit, Vineyards
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 5:26

     4538   vineyard

2 Kings 5:19-27

     5413   money, attitudes

2 Kings 5:22-27

     8776   lies

2 Kings 5:26-27

     5182   skin

Library
Naaman's Wrath
'And Elisha sent a messenger unto Naaman, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 11. But Naaman was wroth, and went away.'--2 KINGS v. 10,11. These two figures are significant of much beyond themselves. Elisha the prophet is the bearer of a divine cure. Naaman, the great Syrian noble, is stricken with the disease that throughout the Old Testament is treated as a parable of sin and death. He was the commander-in-chief of the army …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Naaman's Imperfect Faith
'And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. 16. But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. 17. And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Mr. Evil-Questioning Tried and Executed
Just listen to what Evil Questioning said to Naaman, and what Naaman said as the result of it. If I understand my text aright, it means just this: "What virtue can there be in water? Why should I be told to go and wash at all? I have washed many times and it never cured my leprosy. This dry disease is not so readily got rid of; but supposing there is some medical influence in water, why must I wash in Jordan? It is but a mere ditch, why can I not go and wash in some of my own rivers? We have medicinal …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

A Little Maid
BY THEODORE T. MUNGER [From "Lamps and Paths," by courtesy of Houghton, Mifflin & Co.] In old days we read of angels who came and took men by the hand, and led them away from the city of Destruction. We see no white-robed angels now; yet men are led away from threatening destruction: a hand is put into theirs, and they are gently guided toward a bright and calm land, so that they look no more backward; and the hand may be that of a little child.--GEORGE ELIOT As aromatic plants bestow No spicy fragrance …
Philip P. Wells—Bible Stories and Religious Classics

Gehazi
BY REV. J. MORGAN GIBBON "The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow."--2 KINGS v. 27. Elisha and Gehazi were master and man. They were more. They were almost father and son. Elisha calls him "my heart," just as Paul calls Onesimus his heart. Yet they parted so.--"He went out from his presence a leper." The punishment was terrible. Was it deserved? Had the master a right to pass this sentence? …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether Christ's Genealogy is Suitably Traced by the Evangelists?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ's genealogy is not suitably traced by the Evangelists. For it is written (Is. 53:8): "Who shall declare His generation?" Therefore Christ's genealogy should not have been set down. Objection 2: Further, one man cannot possibly have two fathers. But Matthew says that "Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary": whereas Luke says that Joseph was the son of Heli. Therefore they contradict one another. Objection 3: Further, there seem to be divergencies between them …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Christ was Baptized at a Fitting Time?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ was baptized at an unfitting time. For Christ was baptized in order that He might lead others to baptism by His example. But it is commendable that the faithful of Christ should be baptized, not merely before their thirtieth year, but even in infancy. Therefore it seems that Christ should not have been baptized at the age of thirty. Objection 2: Further, we do not read that Christ taught or worked miracles before being baptized. But it would have been more profitable …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

"Let any Man Come. "
[7] "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."--John 7:37-38. THE text which heads this paper contains one of those mighty sayings of Christ which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful; yet even a child can see that "one star differeth from another in glory" …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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