Tyndale Open Study Notes2 Kings 5

• The king of Aram was likely Ben-hadad II who ruled from 860 to 843 BC.

• the LORD had given victory to Aram: The Lord rules over all nations (Psalms 47:8; 99:1–2; Romans 13:1).

• a leper: Naaman’s ability to be part of society and Gehazi’s later social freedom (2 Kings 8:4–5) suggest the issue was not Hansen’s disease but another serious skin condition (see Leviticus 13:10–11, 45–46).

During Joram's rule, tensions between Israel and the Arameans caused Aramean raiders to attack the northern kingdom (see 2 Kings 6:8, 24).

The expensive gifts and royal letter highlighted Naaman's wealth, his importance to the Aramean king, and Elisha's reputation. Unlike Ahaziah, who sent messengers straight to the temple of Baal-zebub in Philistia (2 Kings 1:2), the Aramean king used diplomacy by sending Naaman to King Joram first.

tore his clothes: Tearing one's clothes was often a sign of strong emotion. For example:

• Agitation (2 Kings 11:4)

• Grief (Genesis 37:34; 2 Samuel 13:31)

• Sorrow (2 Kings 6:30; Job 1:20; 2:12)

Due to ongoing distrust and hostility between the Arameans and Israelites, Joram thought the Aramean king wanted to start a fight, as had happened during his father Ahab's time (1 Kings 20:1–12).

Elisha did not respect King Joram (2 Kings 3:14), but he sent the message to show the Lord's power.

Instead of welcoming Naaman, who came to pay for his healing, Elisha left him at the door and sent a messenger to speak with him. Naaman expected special treatment because of his status and felt let down by Elisha's refusal to meet him and by the instructions to wash seven times in the Jordan River. He thought the Jordan was inferior to the rivers of Aram. Washing in the Jordan would visibly show that only Yahweh, the God of Israel, could heal Naaman.

Naaman put aside his pride. He followed the instructions from the man of God and felt God's healing power. Following God's guidance leads to blessings and purity (Psalm 119:9–11).

• No God … except in Israel: Naaman's physical healing led to his spiritual conversion. Like the Samaritan leper healed by Jesus, Naaman returned to thank his healer (Luke 17:15–16).

• Naaman offered a gift out of gratitude, but Elisha refused. God's grace and blessings cannot be bought with money, gifts, or favors (Isaiah 55:1–5; Romans 2:4; 1 Corinthians 2:12; Ephesians 4:8).

soil: In ancient Near Eastern customs, people linked a nation's god with its land. Naaman thought he needed Israelite soil to build an altar and worship Israel's God correctly.

The name Rimmon appears in Tabrimmon (1 Kings 15:18), the father of Ben-hadad I. In Aramean, the god's name is actually Ramman (meaning the thunderer), a storm god mentioned in Assyrian writings. The spelling Rimmon (meaning pomegranate) might be a pun to mock the god.

Naaman believed Gehazi's made-up story and was glad to reward Elisha.

the hill: The Hebrew word means hill or high point in a city. People often built citadels in these locations (2 Chronicles 27:3).

Gehazi could not hide his actions from Elisha. Gehazi's lies and abuse of his position led to Elisha's disapproval and losing his role as Elisha's servant. It also resulted in Gehazi getting Naaman's leprosy, showing that Gehazi had spiritually switched places with Naaman.