That thou mayest recover him of his leprosy— Or, "That by thy command the prophet who is with thee may cleanse him." See 2 Kings 5:3. Kings are often said to do those things which they command to be done; in which view, there is no ambiguity in the letter of the king of Syria. But the king of Israel thought himself mocked by it. The king's expression in the next verse, Am I a God, &c.? refers to what we have had occasion to remark in the notes upon Leviticus, that the leprosy was always esteemed a disease immediately inflicted by God, and only to be cured by him.
REFLECTIONS.—Elisha's greatness continues still the subject of the history. It is a pleasing episode, and a relief from the uniform tenor of evil which was in Israel and her kings.
1. Naaman, by means of a captive girl, hears of the prophet's miracles. He was a great general, successful in war, a high favourite with his master, but a leper. The captive girl, though a child when taken, remembered the great prophet in Samaria, and, as a good servant, tells her mistress of him, and wishes her master could see him: he could do more for him than all the physicians of Damascus. Note; (1.) A little child, if taught the knowledge of Jesus, the great prophet, may be a successful preacher; and by the mouths of babes and sucklings God can perfect his praise. (2.) Every good servant must seek the welfare of the family he is in. (3.) Greatness is no protection from the sorest calamities incident to human life. Disease and death find as easy access to the palace as the cottage. (4.) Say all you can of a man's worldly felicity, success, or honour, one but spoils the whole. If he have the uncured leprosy of sin upon him, all besides is but splendid misery.
2. Naaman is eager to improve the hint, though given by so mean a person, and instantly prepares to wait on this great prophet, having mentioned the matter to the king of Syria, and received a strong recommendation to Jehoram, presuming that his authority with the prophet would facilitate the application and cure. With a great retinue, and loaded with suitable presents for the occasion, he hastens on his journey, and, being arrived at Samaria, delivers the letter to the king of Israel. Note; How willing are men to try every expedient, and grudge no expence or trouble, to obtain a cure of their bodily diseases! Who shews such eagerness to bring their diseased souls to the great physician, though the cure there is infallible, and also without money, and without price?
3. Jehoram no sooner read the letter, than he rent his clothes, whether shocked at the blasphemy that he supposed it contained, enjoining him the cure of a leper, which was God's work alone, or terrified with the apprehension that this was done with a design to quarrel with him, in order to invade his country. He had so little concern with God's prophets himself, that he had no idea of a Syrian's coming so far to court their assistance. Note; They who are conscious of their own ill deserts, are ready to terrify themselves at every shadow, and put the worst constructions on what has not the least ill design.
4. Elisha heard the king's distress, and the cause of it; and, though he had just reason to complain of being neglected, yet when the glory of Israel's God is concerned, unsought he proffers his service, and will do for this Syrian what Israel's king cannot, that he may know there is a prophet in Israel. Note; Though wicked men have forfeited every mercy, yet God for his own glory will sometimes help them beyond all that they have reason to expect.