Naaman

AI summary: Naaman matters because the cross references present him as a powerful foreigner brought low enough to receive mercy. He arrives with status and expectations, resists the humility of washing in the Jordan, is healed, and responds with a confession that marks a turning point in his understanding. His story also exposes the contrast between grateful cleansing and Gehazi's greedy corruption. Taken together, the material presents Naaman as a Gentile figure through whom the prophetic books show both the wideness of God's grace and the necessity of humble obedience.¹

Pleasantness, a Syrian, the commander of the armies of Benhadad II. in the time of Joram, king of Israel. He was afflicted with leprosy; and when the little Hebrew slave-girl that waited on his wife told her of a prophet in Samaria who could cure her master, he obtained a letter from Benhadad and proceeded with it to Joram. The king of Israel suspected in this some evil design against him, and rent his clothes. Elisha the prophet hearing of this, sent for Naaman, and the strange interview which took place is recorded in 2 Kings 5. The narrative contains all that is known of the Syrian commander. He was cured of his leprosy by dipping himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of Elisha. His cure is alluded to by our Lord (Luke 4:27). ³