2Kings:5

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* Naaman was a great soldier . He was commander of the Syrian army and highly respected and esteemed by the king of Syria . Jehovah gave victory to the Syrian forces through Naaman . He suffered from a dreaded skin disease . * The Syrians carried off a little Israelite girl during one of their raids against Israel . The girl became a servant of Naaman 's wife . * She said to her mistress : »I wish my master could go to the prophet who lives in Samaria ! He would cure him of his leprosy .« * Naaman heard of this and told the king what the girl said . * The king said : »Go to the king of Israel and take this letter to him .« Naaman departed . He took thirty thousand pieces of silver , six thousand pieces of gold , and ten changes of fine clothes . * The letter stated : »This letter will introduce my officer Naaman . I want you to cure him of his leprosy .« * The king of Israel read the letter and tore his clothes and said : »How can the king of Syria expect me to cure this man ? Does he think that I am God , with the power of life and death ? It is plain that he is trying to start a quarrel with me !« * When the prophet Elisha heard what happened , he sent word to the king : »Why are you so upset ? Send Naaman to me . I will show him that there is a prophet in Israel !« * Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the entrance to Elisha 's house . * Elisha sent a servant to tell him to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River . He would then be completely cured of his disease . * Naaman left in a rage , saying : »I thought he would at least come out to me , pray to Jehovah his God , wave his hand over the diseased spot , and cure me ! * »Are not the Abanah and Pharpar rivers in Damascus better than any river in Israel ? I could have washed in them and been cured !« * His servants went up to him and said : »If the prophet had told you to do something difficult , you would have done it . Now why can you not just wash yourself , as he said , and be cured ?« * So Naaman went to the Jordan River and dipped himself in it seven times , as Elisha had instructed . He was completely cured . His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child . * Naaman returned to Elisha with all his men and said : »Now I realize there is no god but the God of Israel . Please accept a gift from me .« * Elisha the prophet answered : »By the living God Jehovah whom I serve , I swear that I will not accept a gift .« Naaman insisted that he accept it , but he would not . * So Naaman said : »If you will not accept my gift , then let me have two mule-loads of earth to take home with me . From now on I will not offer sacrifices or burnt offerings to any god except Jehovah . * »I hope Jehovah will forgive me when I accompany my king to the temple of Rimmon , the god of Syria , and worship him . Surely Jehovah will forgive me !« * Elisha said : »Go in peace .« And Naaman left . He had gone only a short distance , * when Elisha 's servant Gehazi said to himself : »My master has let Naaman get away without paying a thing ! He should have accepted what that Syrian offered him . By the living God Jehovah I will run after him and get something from him .« * He ran after Naaman . When Naaman saw a man running after him , he got down from his chariot to meet him , and asked : »What is wrong ?« * »Nothing is wrong ,« answered Gehazi . »But my master sent me to tell you that just now two members of the group of prophets in the hill country of Ephraim arrived . He would like you to give them three thousand pieces of silver and two changes of fine clothes .« * »Please take six thousand pieces of silver ,« Naaman replied . He tied the silver in two bags and gave them and two changes of fine clothes to two of his servants , and sent them on ahead of Gehazi . * They reached the hill where Elisha lived . Gehazi took the two bags and carried them into the house . Then he sent Naaman 's servants back . * He went into the house . Elisha asked him : »Where have you been ?« »Oh , nowhere ,« he answered . * Elisha said : »Was I there in spirit when the man got out of his chariot to meet you ? This is no time to accept money and clothes , olive groves and vineyards , sheep and cattle , or servants ! * »Naaman 's leprosy will come upon you . You and your descendants will have it from generation to generation !« When Gehazi left , he had the disease . His skin was as white as snow .

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