Question 1

Who was Naaman, and why is his leprosy important in this story?

Accepted Answer

Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army, respected and successful, described as a great and brave man. Yet he had leprosy, a serious skin disease that made people unclean and often isolated. His leprosy shows that no matter how powerful or honored someone is, they still face weakness and need. In this story, his disease points to a deeper problem common to everyone: we all need God’s help. Through Naaman’s sickness and healing, God shows His power and kindness, even to someone from another nation.

Question 2

Why did the Israelite maid talk about the prophet in Samaria?

Accepted Answer

The young Israelite girl was a captive in Naaman’s house, taken from her homeland. Even in that hard place, she cared about her master and believed that the prophet in Samaria, Elisha, could be used by God to heal him. Her simple words set the whole story in motion. She shows how God can work through people who seem small or forgotten, and how quiet, bold faith can point others to God. Even as a servant and a foreigner, she trusted that the God of Israel could help Naaman.

Question 3

Why did Naaman get angry at Elisha’s command to wash in the Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Naaman expected a dramatic healing. He thought Elisha would come out, stand before him, call on the Lord, and wave his hand over the sick place. Instead, Elisha sent a messenger telling him to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman felt insulted, comparing the Jordan to the better rivers of Damascus, and he did not like such a simple command. His anger shows human pride and our tendency to want God to work our way. The turning point comes when he humbles himself, follows the plain word given, and then finds healing.

Question 4

What is the meaning of Naaman washing seven times in the Jordan River?

Accepted Answer

The command to wash seven times in the Jordan was not magic water but a test of faith and obedience. Naaman had to accept God’s way, not his own ideas about how healing should happen. Seven often marks completeness in Scripture, so his seven dips mark a full, complete act of obedience. When he finally does what the prophet said, his skin is made like that of a little child, and he becomes clean. The story teaches that God’s help often comes through simple, humble obedience to His word, not through grand acts or money.

Question 5

What does Naaman’s response after being healed show about his faith?

Accepted Answer

After he is healed, Naaman returns to Elisha and openly says, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.” He offers a gift, which Elisha refuses, showing that God’s grace is not for sale. Naaman then asks for earth from Israel so he can worship the Lord back in Syria and promises not to offer sacrifices to other gods. This shows a real change in his heart. He has moved from seeking only physical healing to acknowledging the Lord as the true God and wanting to worship Him alone.

Question 6

Why did Elisha refuse Naaman’s gifts after the healing?

Accepted Answer

Elisha refused Naaman’s rich gifts to make it clear that God’s healing could not be bought. Naaman had brought silver, gold, and fine clothes, likely thinking that great blessings needed great payment. By saying “I will receive none,” Elisha showed that the Lord acts out of grace and mercy, not for human reward. This protects God’s honor and keeps the focus on Him, not on the prophet. It also contrasts sharply with Gehazi’s later greed, underlining that serving God is not a way to gain wealth from others’ needs.

Question 7

What is going on when Naaman asks for pardon about bowing in the house of Rimmon?

Accepted Answer

Naaman knows that when he returns to Syria, he will still serve his master, who worships in the house of Rimmon. As the king leans on his arm, Naaman will appear to bow with him. He does not want this to mean he is worshiping that god, so he asks the Lord to pardon him in this situation. Elisha answers, “Go in peace,” which shows a gentle response. This part has been read in more than one way, but it clearly shows Naaman’s new desire to honor the Lord even while living in a place full of idol worship.

Question 8

Why did Gehazi lie to Naaman, and what was his punishment?

Accepted Answer

Gehazi was troubled that Elisha had let Naaman go without taking any of the gifts he brought. Driven by greed, he ran after Naaman, lied by using Elisha’s name, and asked for silver and clothes, pretending it was for visiting prophets. He then hid the goods and lied again to Elisha. God revealed the truth to Elisha, who confronted him. As a result, Elisha said that Naaman’s leprosy would cling to Gehazi and his descendants. Gehazi left Elisha’s presence a leper, showing the serious weight of greed, deceit, and misusing God’s work for gain.

Question 9

What does this passage teach about God’s character and His care for nations?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God’s power and mercy reach beyond Israel’s borders. Naaman is a foreign commander, even an enemy, yet God heals him and brings him to confess the Lord as the one true God. At the same time, the king of Israel, who should have trusted God, reacts in fear. God uses a captive girl, humble servants, and a simple river to show His grace. We see that God is sovereign, free to show kindness where He chooses, and that He calls people from every nation to know and honor Him.

2 Kings 5:1

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

Naaman Cured of Leprosy

Gehazi’s Greed and Leprosy

Naaman Cured of Leprosy

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2 Kings 5:1

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

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Naaman Cured of Leprosy

Gehazi’s Greed and Leprosy

Naaman Cured of Leprosy

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