◄ 2 Kings 5:4 ►
And Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said.
Study Bible
And Naaman went
Naaman, a prominent figure in the Aramean army, is introduced here as a man of action. The Hebrew root for "went" (הלך, halak) implies movement with purpose. Naaman's decision to go reflects his desperation and hope for healing from his leprosy. Historically, this action signifies a step of faith, as he is willing to seek help from a foreign land, demonstrating humility and openness to God's work beyond his own understanding.

and told his master
The phrase indicates Naaman's respect and submission to his king, the master he serves. In the ancient Near Eastern context, loyalty to one's sovereign was paramount. This act of communication underscores the chain of command and the importance of seeking permission and guidance from authority figures, reflecting a biblical principle of honoring those in leadership.

This is what the girl
The "girl" refers to the young Israelite servant, whose faith and knowledge of God's power set the narrative in motion. Her role, though minor in worldly terms, is pivotal in God's plan. This highlights the biblical theme that God often uses the least likely individuals to accomplish His purposes, reminding us that no act of faith is too small to be significant.

from the land of Israel
This phrase emphasizes the origin of the girl and the source of the hope she offers. Israel, the land of God's chosen people, is portrayed as a place where God's power and presence are known. Historically, Israel was a small nation, yet it was the center of God's redemptive work. This context underscores the idea that true healing and salvation come from the God of Israel.

has said
The act of speaking, especially in biblical narratives, carries weight and authority. The Hebrew root for "said" (אמר, amar) often conveys not just the act of speaking but the power and intention behind the words. The girl's words are a testimony of faith, pointing Naaman towards the prophet Elisha and, ultimately, towards the God of Israel. This reflects the biblical truth that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Naaman
A commander of the army of the king of Aram, highly regarded and a valiant soldier, but he suffered from leprosy.

2. The King of Aram
Naaman's master, who held a position of authority and influence in Aram (modern-day Syria).

3. The Girl from Israel
A young Israelite girl taken captive, serving Naaman's wife, who shared the news of a prophet in Israel who could heal Naaman.

4. Israel
The land where the prophet Elisha resided, representing God's chosen people and the place of divine intervention.

5. Elisha
The prophet in Israel who ultimately provides the means for Naaman's healing through God's power.
Teaching Points
The Power of a Testimony
The young girl's simple testimony about the prophet in Israel led to Naaman's journey of faith and healing. Our testimonies can have a profound impact on others.

God's Sovereignty in Unlikely Circumstances
Despite being a captive, the young girl played a crucial role in God's plan. God can use us in any situation for His purposes.

Faith and Obedience
Naaman's willingness to listen and act on the girl's words demonstrates the importance of faith and obedience in receiving God's blessings.

Cross-Cultural Ministry
Naaman's account shows that God's love and power are not limited by national or cultural boundaries. We are called to share God's love with all people.

Humility in Seeking Help
Naaman, a man of high status, humbled himself to seek help from a foreign prophet. Humility is essential in our walk with God and in seeking His intervention.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the young girl's faith and testimony challenge us to share our faith in our daily lives?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in difficult or unexpected circumstances in our own lives?

3. How does Naaman's account encourage us to step out in faith and obedience, even when the path is uncertain?

4. What lessons can we learn from Naaman's humility in seeking help, and how can we apply this in our relationships with others and with God?

5. How can we be more intentional in sharing God's love across cultural and social boundaries, as seen in the account of Naaman?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Luke 4:27
Jesus references Naaman's healing to illustrate God's grace extending beyond Israel, highlighting the universality of God's mercy.

James 5:14-15
Encourages believers to seek prayer and anointing for healing, similar to Naaman seeking the prophet for healing.

Romans 10:14-15
Emphasizes the importance of hearing the message of God, akin to Naaman hearing about the prophet through the young girl.
Sermons
The Story of Naaman: 1. the Disinterested MaidenJ. Orr 2 Kings 5:1-7
Alloy in GrandeurMatthew Henry.2 Kings 5:1-19
Greatness Secondary to Goodness2 Kings 5:1-19
NaamanCanon Hutchings.2 Kings 5:1-19
Naaman the SyrianF. Whitfield, M. A.2 Kings 5:1-19
Naaman, the LeperC. Bullock.2 Kings 5:1-19
Naaman, the SyrianM. G. Pearse.2 Kings 5:1-19
Namman the SyrianMonday Club Sermons2 Kings 5:1-19
Some Modern Lessons from an Ancient StoryHomiletic Review2 Kings 5:1-19
The Buts of LifeJ. Greenhough, M. A.2 Kings 5:1-19
The Conquest of DisadvantagesH. H. Henson, B. D.2 Kings 5:1-19
The Fruits of AdversityE. F. Chapman, M. A.2 Kings 5:1-19
The History of Naaman's Disease and CureHomilist2 Kings 5:1-19
The Method of GraceW. Mincher.2 Kings 5:1-19
History of Naaman's Disease and CureD. Thomas 2 Kings 5:1-27
A Helpful Girl2 Kings 5:2-4
A Young CaptiveSamuel Gregory.2 Kings 5:2-4
The Captive MaidC. Bullock.2 Kings 5:2-4
The Faith of a Little MaidF. S. Webster, M. A.2 Kings 5:2-4
The Hebrew MaidJ. Wells.2 Kings 5:2-4
The Little Captive MaidT. Fenwick.2 Kings 5:2-4
The Little Lady's MaidA. M'Auslane, D. D.2 Kings 5:2-4
Naaman the SyrianC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 5:4-19
People
Aram, Elisha, Gehazi, Naaman, Syrians
Places
Abana River, Damascus, Jordan River, Pharpar, Samaria, Syria
Topics
Damsel, Declareth, Girl, Maid, Maiden, Master, Naaman, Na'aman, Saying, Says, Someone, Spoke, Spoken, Thus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 5:1-5

     5590   travel

2 Kings 5:1-14

     1416   miracles, nature of
     5298   doctors
     8131   guidance, results

2 Kings 5:2-6

     5695   girls

2 Kings 5:4-5

     5615   weights

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 Scripture

Naaman'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

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