2 Kings 5 Naaman, by his captive maid’s report, goeth to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy, 2 Kings 5:1–9. Elisha sends to him a command to wash in Jordan: he is angry, and disdaineth it: his servants’ advice: he doth it, and is healed, 2 Kings 5:10–14.

A great man with his master; in great power and favour with the king of Syria. Honourable; highly esteemed, both for his quality and success. By him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria; which expression he useth, partly to mind the Israelites that all the hurt they had from the Tyrians was…

Gone out by companies; making inroads into the land of Israel to rob and plunder, after the manner of those times. See 1 Sam. 30:8, 2 Kings 13:21, 2 Kings 24:2. She waited on, Heb. was before, i.e. stood before her, or ministered to her. Compare Deut. 1:38.

In Samaria; either, first, In the kingdom of Samaria. Or, secondly, In the city of Samaria; where he was when she was taken; or where he commonly resided, though he went to other places, as need required. He would recover him of his leprosy; or, take him away (as this Hebrew verb is used, Gen.

One of Naaman’s servants hearing this, went in and told it to Naaman, and he to the king of Syria, which is implied. Or, And he went in, & c., i.e. Naaman, mentioned 2 Kings 5:1, hearing this from his wife, told it to the king of Syria, as the next words intimate.

The king of Israel; Jehoram the son of Ahab, 2 Kings 3:1. I will send a letter unto the king of Israel, desiring him to obtain this favour from the prophet.

i.e. Procure his recovery by the means of Elisha, 2 Kings 5:3–4, whom thou mayest command to use his utmost skill and power herein.

He rent his clothes; either in detestation of his blasphemy, in giving God’s perfections to him; or rather, for grief arising from a suspicion and fear that the Syrian made this only a pretence for the war which he designed against him.

Jehoram had not advised with Elisha, either because the sudden surprisal made him forget it, or because he hated him, and scorned to beg any thing from him. Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? there was no just occasion for thee to do so.

Waiting for Elisha’s coming to him.

Elisha sent a messenger; partly, to try and exercise Naaman’s faith and obedience; partly, for the honour of his religion and ministry, that it might appear he sought not his own glory and profit in his miraculous performances, but only God’s honour, and the good of men; and partly, for the…

Naaman was wroth; supposing himself despised and mocked by the prophet. Herein he gives an example of the perverseness of mankind, who are apt to prefer their own fancies before God’s appointments.

Is there not as great a virtue in them to this purpose? But he should have considered that the cure was not to be wrought by the water, but by the power of God, who might use what means and methods of cure he pleased.

My father; or, our father; so they call him, both to show their reverence and affection to him, and to mitigate his exasperated mind.

Like unto the flesh of a little child, i.e. fresh and pure, free from the least mixture or mark of the disease.

He returned to the man of God, to give him thanks, and a recompence for his great kindness. I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; by this wonderful work I am fully convinced the God of Israel is the only true God, and that other gods are but impotent idols.

Not that he thought it simply unlawful to receive gifts or presents, which he did receive from others, 2 Kings 4:42, but because of the special circumstances of the present case; this being much for the honour of the true God and religion, that the Syrians should see the generous piety, and…

Two mules’ burden of earth; wherewith I may make an altar of earth, as was usual, Ex. 20:24. He desires the earth of this land, because he thought it more holy and acceptable to God, and proper for his service; or because he would by this token profess and declare his conjunction with the…

Rimmon; a Syrian idol, called here by the LXX. Remman, and Acts 7:43 Remphan. On my hand; or, arm, as that word sometimes signifies, both in Scripture and other authors; or, shoulder; upon which the king leaned, either for state or for support. Compare 2 Kings 7:2.

Go in peace: these words may contain an answer, either, first, To his last petition, 2 Kings 5:18; and so the sense may be this, Be not too solicitous about this matter; go, and the peace or blessing of God go along with thee.

Naaman this Syrian; a stranger, and one of that nation who are the implacable enemies of God’s people; whom therefore my master should not have had so much regard to as to the Lord’s prophets, who before deserved and more needed the money which he offered than Naaman himself did.

He lighted down from the chariot to meet him thereby testifying his great respect to the prophet his master.

This was a very unlikely story; but Naaman was not willing to question it, but glad of the opportunity of showing his gratitude to the prophet.

He urged him, who at first refused it upon a pretence of modesty and obedience to his master’s command.

The tower; a safe and private place which he chose for that purpose, and where possibly he hid and kept other things which he had got by such-like frauds and artifices. He let the men go before they came within sight of his master.

Went not mine heart with thee? did not my mind. being enlightened by God’s Spirit, discern what thou saidst and didst? Is it a time? was this a fit season for this action? I had but newly and obstinately refused his gifts, for great reasons; of which See Poole “2 Kings 5:16”; and now thou hast…

And unto thy seed for ever, i.e. for some generations; or for a long time, as that word is oft used, and as may be thought by comparing this with Ex. 20:5, Ex. 24:7.