V.
ELISHA HEALS NAAMAN THE SYRIAN’S LEPROSY, AND PUNISHES GEHAZI THEREWITH.
(1) Now. — The construction implies a break between this narrative and the preceding. Whether the events related belong to the time of Jehoram or of the dynasty of Jehu is not clear. Evidently it was a time of peace between Israel and Syria.
Naaman (beauty). — A title of the sun-god. (See Note on Isaiah 17:10.)
A great man with his master. — Literally, before his lord. (Comp. Genesis 10:9.)
Honourable. — In special favour. Literally, lifted up of face. (Comp. 2 Kings 3:14, Note; Isaiah 3:3.)
By him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria. — Notice the high prophetic view that it is Jehovah, not Hadad or Rimmon, who gives victory to Syria as well as Israel. (Comp. Amos 9:7.) It is natural to think of the battle in which Ahab received his mortal wound (1 Kings 22:30, seq.). The Midrash makes Naaman the man who “drew the bow at a venture” on that occasion. The “deliverance” was victory over Israel.
He was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. — Literally, and the man was a brave warrior, stricken with leprosy. His leprosy need not have been so severe as to incapacitate him for military duties. The victor over Israel is represented as a leper who has to seek, and finds, his only help in Israel (Thenius).