Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 2 King 5:1 - 5:7

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 2 King 5:1 - 5:7


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The Testimony of the Slave Girl

v. 1. Now, Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian forces, was a great man with his master, he occupied an influential position in the king's service, and honorable, highly respected, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria, in gaining the victory over Ahab and his forces, 1Ki_22:35-36. He was also a mighty man in valor, an excellent military chief; but he was a leper, a fact which made him unfit for the fulfillment of many of his duties.

v. 2. And the Syrians had gone out by companies,
on expeditions for the purpose of making plunder, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid, a young girl; and she waited on Naaman's wife, performing the work of a house-slave.

v. 3. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord, Naaman, were with the prophet that is in Samaria,
for Elisha had his home there, for he would recover him of his leprosy, so that be would be healed and could perform his duties as of old.

v. 4. And one,
that is, Naaman, went in and told his lord, the king, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. He placed the proposition before the king for his approval or disapproval.

v. 5. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel.
He was very anxious to have Naaman restored to his former health and vigor. And he, Naaman, departed, and took with him ten talents of silver (almost $20,000) and six thousand pieces of gold (estimated at between $36,000 and $44,000) and ten changes of raiment, special festival dresses.

v. 6. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel,
who since Ahab's defeat was in a certain state of dependence upon the Syrian king, saying, Now, when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman, my servant, to thee that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. The king of Syria held the king of Israel responsible for this healing, since he probably thought that he had but to summon the prophet and command him to perform the miracle.

v. 7. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, out of fright and sadness, and said, Am I God to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy?
He demanded something which only God could do, and therefore plainly made the matter an issue. Wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. Note that the little slave-girl took the opportunity of testifying to Jehovah's prophet, thus becoming instrumental in leading Naaman to find the truth—a fine example for people in our days.