"If you will not," said Naaman, "please let me, your servant, be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry. For your servant will never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the LORD. “If you will not,” said Naaman,Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of Aram, had been healed of leprosy by following the prophet Elisha's instructions to wash in the Jordan River. His statement here follows Elisha's refusal to accept gifts for the healing. This reflects the cultural practice of offering gifts in gratitude for divine or prophetic intervention, which Elisha declines to emphasize that God's grace cannot be bought. “please let me, your servant, be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry.”
Naaman requests soil from Israel, which indicates his desire to worship the God of Israel on holy ground. In ancient Near Eastern culture, gods were often associated with specific lands, and taking soil from Israel symbolized bringing a piece of the land where the true God was worshiped back to Aram. This act signifies Naaman's conversion and commitment to the God of Israel, acknowledging His sovereignty beyond geographical boundaries. “For your servant will never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the LORD.”
Naaman's declaration marks a significant shift from polytheism to monotheism, recognizing the LORD as the one true God. This aligns with the First Commandment (Exodus 20:3) and reflects a profound transformation in Naaman's faith. His commitment to exclusive worship of the LORD is a testament to the power of God’s miracles to bring about spiritual change. This also prefigures the New Testament theme of Gentiles coming to faith in the God of Israel, as seen in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles. Persons / Places / Events 1. NaamanA commander of the army of the king of Aram, who was healed of leprosy by the prophet Elisha. His healing led to a profound transformation in his faith. 2. ElishaA prophet in Israel who performed miracles and served as a conduit for God's power and message. He instructed Naaman to wash in the Jordan River to be healed. 3. The Jordan RiverThe river in which Naaman was instructed to wash seven times to be cleansed of his leprosy. It symbolizes obedience and faith in God's instructions. 4. Aram (Syria)The nation where Naaman served as a military commander. It was often in conflict with Israel. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, whom Naaman acknowledges as the only true God after his healing. Teaching Points Transformation through ObedienceNaaman's healing and subsequent faith transformation highlight the power of obedience to God's instructions. Even when God's commands seem simple or unconventional, they carry profound spiritual significance. Exclusive WorshipNaaman's request for earth to build an altar signifies his commitment to exclusive worship of Yahweh. This teaches us the importance of dedicating our lives wholly to God, rejecting all forms of idolatry. Public Declaration of FaithNaaman's actions serve as a public declaration of his newfound faith. As believers, we are called to openly profess our faith and live in a way that reflects our commitment to God. Cultural and Spiritual IntegrationNaaman's desire to take earth from Israel back to Aram shows the integration of his new faith into his cultural context. We are encouraged to let our faith permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our environment and relationships. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Naaman's account illustrate the importance of humility and obedience in experiencing God's power? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship is directed solely to God, as Naaman committed to do? 3. How can Naaman's public declaration of faith inspire us to share our own faith journeys with others? 4. What are some modern-day "idols" that might compete with our worship of the one true God, and how can we guard against them? 5. How can we integrate our faith into our daily lives and cultural contexts, similar to Naaman's desire to worship God in his homeland? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3This verse emphasizes the commandment to have no other gods before the LORD, which aligns with Naaman's declaration to worship only Yahweh. Romans 12:1This passage speaks about offering oneself as a living sacrifice, which parallels Naaman's commitment to worship only the LORD. John 4:24Jesus speaks about worshiping God in spirit and truth, which reflects Naaman's desire to worship the true God sincerely. People Aram, Elisha, Gehazi, Naaman, SyriansPlaces Abana River, Damascus, Jordan River, Pharpar, Samaria, SyriaTopics Able, Backs, Beasts, Burden, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Carry, Couple, Gods, Henceforth, Least, Load, Longer, Mules, Naaman, Na'aman, Offer, Offering, Offerings, Pair, Please, Sacrifice, Sacrifices, Servant, YetDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 5:13-19 6703 peace, divine OT 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 ScriptureNaaman'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 Links 2 Kings 5:17 NIV2 Kings 5:17 NLT2 Kings 5:17 ESV2 Kings 5:17 NASB2 Kings 5:17 KJV
2 Kings 5:17 Commentaries
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