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Gehazi's Covetousness
v. 19. b. So he departed from him a little way. Naaman started out on his return journey to Damascus.
v. 20. But Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, said, thinking in his own heart, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman, this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought, the rich presents having aroused the covetousness of Gehazi; but, as the Lord liveth, a blasphemous oath in this connection, I will run after him and take somewhat of him, in order to become possessed of at least some of that wealth.
v. 21. So Gehazi followed after Naaman, running quickly to overtake him. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, a mark of respect; for he honored the master in the servant, and said, Is all well? The evident excitement of Gehazi made it appear as though something had happened.
v. 22. And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from Mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets, this statement, of course, being a deliberate falsehood; give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver (almost $2,000)and two changes of garments.
v. 23. And Naaman said, Be content, let yourself be persuaded, be pleased to accept, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, probably basket-like sacks, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants, a pretty heavy burden; and they bare them before him.
v. 24. And when he came to the tower, the hill before the city, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house, keeping them in a safe place. And he let the men go, and they departed.
v. 25. But he went in and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, again lying, Thy servant went nowhither, literally neither hither nor thither," protesting that he did not so much as leave the premises.
v. 26. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, his body, indeed, not being present, but his spirit, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive-yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men-servants, and maid-servants? For all of these might be purchased with the money obtained by Gehazi, after the manner of the false prophets, with whom the true servants of the Lord would surely never be identified, neither at that time nor ever.
v. 27. The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee and unto thy seed forever. That was God's punishment for his deceit and his avarice. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. Men among the servants of the Lord who have denied faith and a good conscience and have placed their affection upon the things of this world will receive their punishment by the hand of God, if not now, then surely hereafter.