Browse Bible Study Resources

A PROBLEM

Text: 2 Kings 5
27 April 2010

(I) A PROBLEM

1. Involving Naaman, commander of the Syrian army (2 Kings 5:1)

a) A great and honourable man in the eyes of his master

b) A mighty man of valour

c) A leper

2. Servant-Girl of Naaman’s wife

a) Israelite servant girl (2 Kings 5:2)

b) Testifies of the healing power of the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:3)

3. Naaman brings this matter of healing of his leprosy to the king

4. He is sent to the king of Israel with the following:-

a) A letter from the king requesting healing (2 Kings 5:6)

b) Costly gifts

i) 10 talents of silver (750 lbs)

ii) 6000 shekels of gold (150 lbs)

iii) 10 changes of clothing

(II) A POTENTIAL CRISIS

1. Response of the king of Israel

“And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said,

‘Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends a man to heal him of his leprosy?

Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me.’ ” 2 Kings 5:7

a) Disbelief

b) Despair

2. Response of Elisha “the man of God”

“Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 2 Kings 5:8

a) Despair to be set aside

b) Dynamic faith approach to be taken

i) Prophetic ministry on the line

ii) God’s name at stake too

(III) NAAMAN AND ELISHA

1. Naaman goes to the house of Elisha (2 Kings 5:9)

2. But Elisha does not receive him personally but greets him with a message

“Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” 2 Kings 5:10

3. The Fury of Naaman

“Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’ Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?’ So he turned and went away in a rage.” 2 Kings 5:11-12

a) Imagined approach of how Elisha would heal him

b) Insult taken when Elisha just told him to wash himself in the River Jordan

4. Pacifying of Naaman by his servants

a) “My father” (common term of respect) (2 Kings 5:13a)

b) Encouragement to heed the word of Elisha (2 Kings 5:13)

c) Compliance of Naaman (2 Kings 5:14a)

d) Healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:14c)

e) Key phrase

“According to the saying of the man of God” 2 Kings 5:14b

(IV) NAAMAN’S GRATITUDE

1. Returning to Elisha (2 Kings 5:15a)

2. Acknowledgment of the God of Elisha

“Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel” 2 Kings 5:15b

3. Offer of a gift

“Please take a gift from your servant” 2 Kings 5:15c

(V) ELISHA’S RESPONSE

1. Refusal (first time)

“But he said, ‘As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing.’ ” 2 Kings 5:16a

2. Refusal (second time)

“And he urged him to take it, but he refused.” 2 Kings 5:16b

(VI) SPECIAL REQUEST FROM NAAMAN

1. Two mule loads of earth (2 Kings 5:17a)

2. Naaman will symbolically stand on this load of earth when he worshipped God

3. He had decided to worship the God of Israel alone from henceforth

“Your servant will no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD.” 2 Kings 5:17b

4. A plea for understanding

“Yet in this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD please pardon your servant in this thing.” 2 Kings 5:18

a) A special set of circumstances

b) A special pardon

5. Elisha’s gracious reply

“Then he said to him, ‘Go in peace.’ ” 2 Kings 5:19