2 Kings 5:1-7
Elisha Heals a Syrian General
5:1 Now Naaman, the commander of the king of Syria’s army, was esteemed and respected by his master, for through him the Lord had given Syria military victories. But this great warrior had a skin disease.
5:2 Raiding parties went out from Syria and took captive from the land of Israel a young girl, who became a servant to Naaman’s wife.
5:3 She told her mistress, “If only my master were in the presence of the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his skin disease.”
5:4 Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said.
5:5 The king of Syria said, “Go! I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten suits of clothes.
5:6 He brought the letter to king of Israel. It read: “This is a letter of introduction for my servant Naaman, whom I have sent to be cured of his skin disease.”
5:7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill or restore life? Why does he ask me to cure a man of his skin disease? Certainly you must see that he is looking for an excuse to fight me!”
2 Kings 5:16-17
5:16 But Elisha
replied, “As certainly as the
Lord lives (whom I serve),
I will take nothing from you.” Naaman
insisted that he take it, but he refused.
5:17 Naaman said, “If not, then please give your servant a load of dirt, enough for a pair of mules to carry,
for your servant will never again offer a burnt offering or sacrifice to a god other than the
Lord.