2Kings:5

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* 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 (note :)Here it appears that among the infidels God has his , and also that the infidels esteem those who do good to their country .(:note ) deliverance unto Syria : he was also a mighty man in valour , [but he was ] a leper . * And the Aramites had gone out by bands , and had taken a litle mayde of the land of Israel , and shee serued Naamans wife . * And she said unto her mistress , Would God my lord [were ] with the (note :)Meaning Elisha .(:note ) prophet that [is ] in Samaria ! for he would recover him of his leprosy . * And (note :)That is , Naaman told it to the king of Syria .(:note ) [one ] went in , and told his lord , saying , Thus and thus said the maid that [is ] of the land of Israel . * And the king of Syria said , Go to , go , and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel . And he departed , and (note :)To give this as a present to the prophets .(:note ) took with him ten talents of silver , and six thousand [pieces ] of gold , and ten changes of raiment . * And brought the letter to the King of Israel to this effect , Now when this letter is come vnto thee , vnderstand , that I haue sent thee Naaman my seruant , that thou maiest heale him of his leprosie . * And when the King of Israel had read the letter , he rent his clothes , and sayde , Am I God , to kil and to giue life , that hee doth send to mee , that I should heale a man from his leprosie ? wherfore consider , I pray you , and see howe he seeketh a quarel against me . * And it was [so ], when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes , that he sent to the king , saying , (note :)The prophet rebukes the king because he did not consider that God was true in his promise , and therefore would not leave his Church destitute of a prophet , whose prayers he would hear , and to whom others could have recourse for comfort .(:note ) Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes ? let him come now to me , and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel . * Then Naaman came with his horses , and with his charets , and stoode at the doore of the house of Elisha . * And Elisha sent a messenger vnto him , saying , Go and wash thee in Iorden seuen times , and thy flesh shall come againe to thee , and thou shalt be clensed . * But Naaman was (note :)Man 's reason murmurs when it considers only the signs and outward things , and has no regard for the word of God , which is contained there .(:note ) wroth , and went away , and said , Behold , I thought , He will surely come out to me , and stand , and call on the name of the LORD his God , and strike his hand over the place , and recover the leper . * Are not Abanah and Pharpar , riuers of Damascus , better then all the waters of Israel ? may I not washe mee in them , and bee cleansed ? so hee turned , and departed in displeasure . * And his servants came near , and spake unto him , and said , (note :)This declares that servants should reverence and love their masters as children their fathers , and likewise masters toward their servants , must be affectioned as toward their children .(:note ) My father , [if ] the prophet had bid thee [do some ] great thing , wouldest thou not have done [it ]? how much rather then , when he saith to thee , Wash , and be clean ? * Then went he downe , and washed him selfe seuen times in Iorden , according to the saying of the man of God : and his flesh came againe , like vnto ye flesh of a litle child , &amp ; he was cleane . * And hee turned againe to the man of God , hee , and all his companie , and came and stood before him , and sayd , Behold , now I knowe that there is no God in all the world , but in Israel : now therefore , I pray thee , take a reward of thy seruant . * But he said , [As ] the LORD liveth , before whom I stand , I will receive none . And he urged him to take [it ]; (note :)So the Lord commands that they that receive freely , should also give freely .(:note ) but he refused . * Moreouer Naaman sayde , Shall there not be giuen to thy seruant two mules loade of this earth ? for thy seruant will henceforth offer neither burnt sacrifice nor offring vnto any other god , saue vnto the Lord . * In this thing the LORD (note :)He feels his conscience is wounded by being present at idols service , and therefore desires God to forgive him , lest others by his example might fall to idolatry : for as for his own part he confesses that he will never serve any but the true God .(:note ) pardon thy servant , [that ] when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there , and he leaneth on my hand , and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon : when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon , the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing . * And he said unto him , (note :)The prophet did not approve his act , but after the common manner of speech he bids him farewell .(:note ) Go in peace . So he departed from him a little way . * And Gehazi the seruant of Elisha the man of God sayde , Beholde , my master hath spared this Aramite Naaman , receiuing not those things at his hand that he brought : as the Lord liueth , I will runne after him , and take somewhat of him . * So Gehazi followed after Naaman . And when Naaman saw [him ] running after him , (note :)Declaring by it , the honour and affection he bore to the prophet his master .(:note ) he lighted down from the chariot to meet him , and said , [Is ] all well ? * And he answered , All is well : my master hath set me , saying , Behold , there be come to me , euen nowe from mount Ephraim two yong men of the children of the Prophets : giue them , I pray thee , a talent of siluer , &amp ; two change of garmets . * And Naaman saide , Yea , take two talents : and he compelled him , and bound two talents of siluer in two bagges , with two change of garments , and gaue them vnto two of his seruants , that they might beare them before him . * And when he came to the tower , he took [them ] from their hand , and bestowed [them ] in the house : and he let the men go , and (note :)Naaman 's servants .(:note ) they departed . * Then he went in , and stoode before his master ; Elisha said vnto him , Whence commest thou , Gehazi ? And he said , Thy seruant went no whither . * And he said unto him , (note :)Was I not present with you in spirit ?(:note ) Went not mine heart [with thee ], when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee ? [Is it ] a time to receive money , and to receive garments , and That is , money to buy possessions with : meaning that it is detestable in the servants of God to have covetous minds . oliveyards , and vineyards , and sheep , and oxen , and menservants , and maidservants ? * The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee , and unto thy (note :)To be an example to all , by whose covetousness God 's word might be slandered .(:note ) seed for ever . And he went out from his presence a leper [as white ] as snow .

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