In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, &c.— Rimmon, the great idol of the Phoenicians, is by many thought to have been the sun. There seems to be no doubt that some of the planets at least were worshipped under this name. As Naaman in the preceding verses has declared that he will worship no other god than Jehovah, there seems to be much plausibility in that translation of this verse which has been given by some learned men, and approved by many: In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master went into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaned on my hand, and I bowed myself in the house if Rimmon; when I bowed down myself the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing. This is reasonable; but certainly the incongruity would be great, if Naaman, who had just before declared his renunciation of idolatry, should now confess his readiness to relapse into the same crime, and desire God's pardon for it before-hand; whereas, to ask pardon for what he had done amiss, and to desire the prophet's intercession with God in that behalf, argued a mind truly sensible of his former transgression, and very much resolved to avoid it for the future: and accordingly it is supposed, that upon his return home he refused to worship Rimmon any more, and was thereupon dismissed from being general of the king's forces. Houbigant, however, is strongly of opinion, that Naaman pleads for permission to attend his master the king of Syria, merely in a civil capacity, to the temple of Rimmon; which he thinks might well be allowed, while he publicly professed himself a worshipper of the God of Israel, and offered up sacrifices and burnt-offerings only to him. The reader will find much in Calmet and Roque upon the subject, as well as in Houbigant's note on the place. The first interpretation has also the countenance of the learned Dr. Lightfoot.
REFLECTIONS.—He who turned away in a rage, now convinced by experience, returns with humility and gratitude to acknowledge the mercy that he had received.
1. He solemnly confesses his faith in Israel's God, as the only Jehovah, and, renouncing all his idols, resolves henceforth to offer sacrifice to no other God. Note; We then only truly know God, when, not by mere reasoning, but by blessed experience, we find his saving power exercised in our hearts.
2. He presses the prophet to accept a present from him, as the token of his gratitude; but this, though indigent, and able well to employ it for his poor pupils, he solemnly refuses; not as unlawful, but as inexpedient: it would be more for the honour of his God to shew a contempt of this world's wealth. Note; (1.) Nothing so dishonourable in a prophet as the appearance of a mercenary spirit. (2.) Where the heart is fixed on a better portion, it can look on gold as dross.
3. He makes a two-fold request, with which the prophet complies. (1.) He begs two mules' burden of earth, to build an altar to Israel's God, henceforth his own. He looked on the land of Syria as polluted with idols; and now is as attached to the very earth of Israel, as he seemed before to despise it. Note; When the heart is turned to God, how differently do we regard every thing which relates to him! that which was our contempt or aversion, has now our warmest affections. (2.) He begs Elisha's prayers for him, that his past idolatry might be pardoned: not that he might be permitted still, as our translation intimates, to bow in the house of Rimmon, in complaisance to his master. To such a gracious appearance the prophet cannot but give his approbation, and dismisses him in peace, as one accepted of God. Note; (1.) Past transgressions should be ever remembered and lamented. (2.) They are to be encouraged, who give gracious symptoms of real conversion to God.