2 Kings 5:15 - Meaning and Application

Of the ten lepers Jesus healed, only one came back to give thanks, and he was a Samaritan (Luke 17:16). This Syrian did the same here, and his words show what he had learned.

First, he is now convinced of the power of the God of Israel. He does not only say that God exists, but that he alone is God, and that there is no other God in all the earth except in Israel (2 Kings 5:15). This is a fine confession, but it also hints at the deep spiritual trouble of the Gentile world, since the nations with many gods really had no true God at all. Naaman had once thought the gods of Syria were real gods, but experience corrected him, and now he knew that Israel's God was Lord over all.

If he had merely seen other lepers healed, that might not have persuaded him. What moved him most was the mercy shown to him in the cure. Those who have felt God's grace in their own lives are best able to speak about God's power.

Second, he was thankful to Elisha the prophet. He said, in effect, "Because you served as the one through whom this was done, I want to give you a gift of silver, gold, and clothing, whatever you are willing to accept." He judged the value of the healing, not by how little it cost the prophet, but by how much it meant to himself, and he was glad to pay for it.

But Elisha, out of generosity and principle, refused the payment, even when Naaman urged him to take it. To stop any further pressing, he backed up his refusal with an oath: "As the Lord lives, I will receive none" (2 Kings 5:16). This was not because Elisha had no use for it. He was poor enough and knew how to use such gifts well, especially for the sons of the prophets, the group of prophets under his care. Nor was it because receiving gifts was always wrong, since he did accept gifts from others.

Rather, he would not be indebted to this Syrian, and he would not let Naaman say, "I made Elisha rich" (Genesis 14:23). It would honor God for this new believer to see that God's servants had learned to hold worldly wealth lightly. That would strengthen Naaman's belief that there was no God but in Israel. Compare (1 Corinthians 9:18; 2 Corinthians 11:9).

Third, Naaman now turns to the worship of the God of Israel. He not only wants to offer a sacrifice to the Lord in thanks for his healing, but he also resolves never again to offer sacrifice to any other gods (2 Kings 5:17). It was a good healing of his body that also cured him of idolatry, a far more dangerous disease.

Still, his conversion shows two signs of weakness. In one way, he went too far. He wanted to take clods of earth from the prophet's garden, or at least by the prophet's direction, so he could make an altar of that soil (2 Kings 5:17). Not long before, he had spoken lightly of the waters of Israel (2 Kings 5:12), but now he goes to the other extreme and places too much value on Israel's earth. He seems to think that, since God had appointed altars of earth (Exodus 20:24), an altar made from that soil would please God most. He did not consider that the whole earth belongs to the Lord.

Or perhaps his deep respect for the prophet, not only for his power but also for his goodness and generosity, made him want some part of the ground he walked on. In modern terms, it would be like saying, "Please, sir, let me have your picture."

In another way, Naaman did not go far enough. He said he would still bow in the house of Rimmon, a pagan temple, to please his master the king and because of his duty at court (2 Kings 5:18). He admits he should not do it, but says he cannot keep his position unless he does. He also says his bowing is not, and never again will be, meant to honor the idol, only to honor the king, and so he hopes God will forgive him.

Taken all together, this may be understood with some sympathy, though it cannot be fully approved. But for us, several lessons are clear. First, if we make peace with God while reserving one known sin that we plan to keep, we break his covenant from the start. We must give up all our sins, and not keep one "house of Rimmon" for ourselves. Second, we should pray for forgiveness for sins already committed, but if we ask God to allow us to continue in a sin, we are mocking him and fooling ourselves.

Third, people who cannot leave a court position when it requires them to sin against God and their conscience do not truly value God's favor. Fourth, those who really hate evil will be careful to avoid even the appearance of evil.

Naaman's carefulness about his religion cannot be fully approved, but his promise to sacrifice only to the God of Israel was still a great step for a Syrian. And when he asked pardon in this matter, he showed enough conviction and honesty to give hope that he would grow further. So the prophet sent him away kindly, saying, "Go in peace" (2 Kings 5:19). New believers must be handled with gentleness.