At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman's wife. At this timeThis phrase sets the historical context, indicating a specific period during the divided kingdom era of Israel. The Arameans, or Syrians, were frequent adversaries of Israel. This time frame is crucial as it reflects the ongoing conflict and tension between Israel and its neighbors, which God often used to discipline and redirect His people. the Arameans
The Arameans were a Semitic people living in what is now modern-day Syria. They were often in conflict with Israel, as seen throughout the books of Kings. Their interactions with Israel were part of God's sovereign plan, sometimes as instruments of judgment or as a means to demonstrate His power and glory, as in the account of Naaman. had gone out in bands
These bands were likely raiding parties, a common military tactic in ancient times. Such raids were intended to weaken the enemy, capture resources, and take captives. This reflects the turbulent and often violent nature of the ancient Near East, where small-scale skirmishes and raids were a regular occurrence. and had taken captive a young girl
The capture of a young girl highlights the personal and human cost of these raids. In the ancient world, captives were often taken as slaves or servants. This young girl's situation, though dire, becomes a pivotal part of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating how He can use even the most difficult circumstances for His purposes. from the land of Israel
This phrase emphasizes the girl's origin, linking her to God's chosen people. Her faith and knowledge of the God of Israel play a crucial role in the narrative. Despite her captivity, she remains a vessel of God's grace and truth, illustrating the enduring influence of Israel's covenant relationship with God. She served Naaman’s wife
Her position in Naaman's household is significant. Naaman was a commander of the Aramean army, a man of great importance and influence. The young girl's role as a servant places her in a unique position to impact Naaman's life, showing how God can use anyone, regardless of status, to fulfill His divine purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. ArameansA group of people from Aram, a region located in present-day Syria. They were often in conflict with Israel during this period. 2. Young Girl from IsraelA captive taken by the Arameans during a raid. Despite her circumstances, she plays a pivotal role in the account of Naaman's healing. 3. NaamanA commander of the army of the king of Aram. He is a significant figure in this chapter, known for his leprosy and subsequent healing. 4. Naaman’s WifeThe mistress of the young Israelite girl. She is a secondary character but crucial in the communication chain that leads to Naaman's healing. 5. Land of IsraelThe homeland of the young girl, representing God's chosen people and the place where the prophet Elisha resides. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in AdversityEven in difficult circumstances, God can use us for His purposes. The young girl's captivity was a tool for God's greater plan. Faithfulness in Small RolesThe young girl, though a minor character, demonstrates that God values faithfulness in all roles, no matter how small they seem. Loving Our EnemiesThe young girl's concern for Naaman's well-being exemplifies the call to love and serve even those who may be considered enemies. Witnessing Through ActionsHer actions and words were a testimony to the power and compassion of the God of Israel, leading to Naaman's healing and faith. God's Global MissionThis account foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan, showing that His love and power extend beyond Israel. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the young girl's situation reflect God's ability to use difficult circumstances for His purposes? Can you think of a time in your life when God used a challenging situation for good? 2. In what ways does the young girl's faithfulness in her role challenge us to be faithful in our own "small" roles today? 3. How can we apply Jesus' teaching to love our enemies in practical ways, as demonstrated by the young girl's actions toward Naaman? 4. What does this account teach us about the power of witnessing through our actions and words? How can we be more intentional in our daily lives to reflect God's love? 5. How does the inclusion of Naaman, a Gentile, in God's healing plan encourage us to think about God's mission in the world today? How can we participate in this mission? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 2:1-10The account of Moses being raised in Pharaoh's household parallels the young girl's situation, as both are Israelites in foreign lands who play significant roles in God's plan. Matthew 5:44Jesus' teaching on loving enemies connects to the young girl's willingness to help Naaman, an enemy commander. Romans 8:28This verse speaks to God's ability to work all things for good, as seen in the young girl's captivity leading to Naaman's healing and acknowledgment of God. People Aram, Elisha, Gehazi, Naaman, SyriansPlaces Abana River, Damascus, Jordan River, Pharpar, Samaria, SyriaTopics Aram, Aramaeans, Arameans, Bands, Captive, Carried, Companies, Damsel, Girl, Maid, Maiden, Naaman, Naaman's, Na'aman's, Prisoner, Raids, Servant, Served, Syrians, Troops, Waited, WifeDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 5:2 5214 attack
5669 children, examples
7447 slavery, in OT 2 Kings 5:1-2 5136 body 2 Kings 5:1-3 5047 opportunities, in life
8497 witnessing, approaches 2 Kings 5:1-5 5590 travel 2 Kings 5:1-14 1416 miracles, nature of
5298 doctors
8131 guidance, results 2 Kings 5:2-3 5876 helpfulness 2 Kings 5:2-6 5695 girls 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 5:2 NIV2 Kings 5:2 NLT2 Kings 5:2 ESV2 Kings 5:2 NASB2 Kings 5:2 KJV
2 Kings 5:2 Commentaries
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