◄ 2 Kings 5:8 ►
Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: "Why have you torn your clothes? Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel."
Study Bible
When Elisha the man of God heard
The phrase "Elisha the man of God" emphasizes Elisha's role as a divinely appointed prophet. The Hebrew root for "man of God" is "ish ha-Elohim," which signifies a person who is not only a servant of God but also a representative of His will on earth. Elisha's ability to hear about the king's distress indicates his connection to the community and his awareness of the nation's spiritual and political climate. This highlights the importance of spiritual leaders being attuned to the needs and situations of their people.

that the king of Israel had torn his clothes
Tearing one's clothes in ancient Israel was a traditional expression of grief, distress, or repentance. The king's action reflects the gravity of the situation, as he was likely overwhelmed by Naaman's request for healing, which he felt powerless to fulfill. This act underscores the king's recognition of his limitations and the need for divine intervention, setting the stage for Elisha's involvement.

he sent him this message
Elisha's decision to send a message rather than going in person demonstrates his authority and confidence in God's power. The act of sending a message also reflects the prophetic tradition of delivering God's word through spoken or written communication. This method ensures that the focus remains on God's power rather than the prophet's presence.

Why have you torn your clothes?
Elisha's question challenges the king's response, suggesting that the king's despair is unnecessary in light of God's power. It serves as a reminder that human limitations should not lead to hopelessness when God is involved. This rhetorical question encourages faith and reliance on God's provision and guidance.

Have him come to me
Elisha's invitation for Naaman to come to him signifies the prophet's readiness to act as God's instrument of healing. It also highlights the importance of approaching God's appointed servants for guidance and intervention. This phrase underscores the role of prophets as mediators between God and humanity, emphasizing the accessibility of divine help through God's chosen representatives.

and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel
This statement is a declaration of God's presence and power in Israel, embodied through His prophet. The phrase "he will know" implies a personal and transformative experience for Naaman, one that will reveal the reality of the God of Israel. The emphasis on "a prophet in Israel" serves to affirm the unique relationship between God and His chosen people, Israel, and the role of prophets in demonstrating God's sovereignty and authority. This assurance of divine power and presence is meant to inspire faith and trust in God's ability to work miracles and bring about change.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elisha
A prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and being a spokesperson for God.

2. The King of Israel
At this time, likely King Jehoram, who was distressed by the request from the king of Aram regarding Naaman's healing.

3. Naaman
A commander of the army of the king of Aram, who suffered from leprosy and sought healing in Israel.

4. The King of Aram
The ruler who sent Naaman to Israel for healing, demonstrating the political tensions and interactions between nations.

5. Israel
The northern kingdom of the divided Israelite nation, where Elisha served as a prophet.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Power
Elisha's confidence in God's ability to heal Naaman underscores the sovereignty and power of God over all circumstances.

Faith and Obedience
Naaman's healing required faith and obedience to the prophet's instructions, teaching us the importance of trusting God's ways even when they seem unconventional.

God's Witness through His People
Elisha's role as a prophet highlights how God uses His people to demonstrate His power and truth to the world.

Breaking Down Barriers
The account of Naaman shows that God's grace is not limited by national or cultural boundaries, encouraging us to share God's love universally.

Responding to Crisis with Faith
The king's tearing of clothes represents despair, while Elisha's response shows how faith can transform a crisis into an opportunity for God's glory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Elisha's response to the king's distress demonstrate his faith in God's power? How can we apply this in our own moments of crisis?

2. In what ways does Naaman's account illustrate the importance of humility and obedience in receiving God's blessings?

3. How can we, like Elisha, be instruments of God's grace and truth in our communities today?

4. What barriers do we face in sharing God's love with others, and how can Naaman's account inspire us to overcome them?

5. How does the interaction between Elisha and the king of Israel reflect the relationship between faith and leadership? How can this inform our prayers for leaders today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Luke 4:27
Jesus references Naaman's healing to illustrate God's grace extending beyond Israel, highlighting the universality of God's mercy.

James 5:14-15
Discusses the power of prayer and faith in healing, similar to the faith required for Naaman's healing.

1 Kings 19:19-21
The calling of Elisha by Elijah, establishing Elisha's role as a prophet and his authority to act in God's name.

Matthew 8:2-3
Jesus heals a leper, showing continuity in God's power to heal and the importance of faith.

Romans 10:14-15
Emphasizes the role of a messenger, akin to Elisha's role in making God's power known to Naaman.
Sermons
Alloy in GrandeurMatthew Henry.2 Kings 5:1-19
Greatness Secondary to Goodness2 Kings 5:1-19
NaamanCanon Hutchings.2 Kings 5:1-19
Naaman the SyrianF. Whitfield, M. A.2 Kings 5:1-19
Naaman, the LeperC. Bullock.2 Kings 5:1-19
Naaman, the SyrianM. G. Pearse.2 Kings 5:1-19
Namman the SyrianMonday Club Sermons2 Kings 5:1-19
Some Modern Lessons from an Ancient StoryHomiletic Review2 Kings 5:1-19
The Buts of LifeJ. Greenhough, M. A.2 Kings 5:1-19
The Conquest of DisadvantagesH. H. Henson, B. D.2 Kings 5:1-19
The Fruits of AdversityE. F. Chapman, M. A.2 Kings 5:1-19
The History of Naaman's Disease and CureHomilist2 Kings 5:1-19
The Method of GraceW. Mincher.2 Kings 5:1-19
History of Naaman's Disease and CureD. Thomas 2 Kings 5:1-27
Naaman the SyrianC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 5:4-19
The Story of Naaman: 2. the Suggestive CureJ. Orr 2 Kings 5:8-19
People
Aram, Elisha, Gehazi, Naaman, Syrians
Places
Abana River, Damascus, Jordan River, Pharpar, Samaria, Syria
Topics
Clothes, Elisha, Eli'sha, Garments, God's, Hast, Hearing, Message, Pass, Prophet, Rent, Robes, Saying, Torn, Troubled, Wherefore
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 5:1-14

     1416   miracles, nature of
     5298   doctors
     8131   guidance, results

2 Kings 5:8-14

     4260   rivers and streams

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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