2 Kings 5:13-19
13 Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said , " My father , had the prophet told you to do some great thing , would you not have done it? How much e more e then, when he says to you, 'Wash , and be clean '?" 14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan , according to the word of the man of God ; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean .
15 When he returned to the man of God with all his company , and came and stood before him, he said , "Behold now , I know that there is no God in all the earth , but in Israel ; so please take a present from your servant now ." 16 But he said , " As the Lord lives , before whom I stand , I will take nothing ." And he urged him to take it, but he refused . 17 Naaman said , "If not, please let your servant at least be given two mules' load of earth ; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering nor will he sacrifice to other gods , but to the Lord . 18 "In this matter may the Lord pardon your servant : when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there , and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon , when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon , the Lord pardon your servant in this matter ." 19 He said to him, " Go in peace ." So he departed from him some distance e .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 5:13-19
Commentary on 2 Kings 5:9-14
(Read 2 Kings 5:9-14)
Elisha knew Naaman to be a proud man, and he would let him know, that before the great God all men stand upon the same level. All God's commands make trial of men's spirits, especially those which direct a sinner how to apply for the blessings of salvation. See in Naaman the folly of pride; a cure will not content him, unless he be cured with pomp and parade. He scorns to be healed, unless he be humoured. The way by which a sinner is received and made holy, through the blood, and by the Spirit of Christ, through faith alone in his name, does not sufficiently humour or employ self, to please the sinner's heart. Human wisdom thinks it can supply wiser and better methods of cleansing. Observe, masters should be willing to hear reason. As we should be deaf to the counsel of the ungodly, though given by great and respected names, so we are to have our ears open to good advice, though brought by those below us. Wouldst thou not do any thing? When diseased sinners are content to do any thing, to submit to any thing, to part with any thing, for a cure, then, and not till then, is there any hope of them. The methods for the healing of the leprosy of sin, are so plain, that we are without excuse if we do not observe them. It is but, Believe, and be saved; Repent, and be pardoned; Wash, and be clean. The believer applies for salvation, not neglecting, altering, or adding to the Saviour's directions; he is thus made clean from guilt, while others, who neglect them, live and die in the leprosy of sin.
Commentary on 2 Kings 5:15-19
(Read 2 Kings 5:15-19)
The mercy of the cure affected Naaman more than the miracle. Those are best able to speak of the power of Divine grace, who themselves experience it. He also shows himself grateful to Elisha the prophet. Elijah refused any recompence, not because he thought it unlawful, for he received presents from others, but to show this new convert that the servants of the God of Israel looked upon worldly wealth with a holy contempt. The whole work was from God, in such a manner, that the prophet would not give counsel when he had no directions from the Lord. It is not well violently to oppose the lesser mistakes which unite with men's first convictions; we cannot bring men forward any faster than the Lord prepares them to receive instruction. Yet as to us, if, in covenanting with God, we desire to reserve any known sin, to continue to indulge ourselves in it, that is a breach of his covenant. Those who truly hate evil, will make conscience of abstaining from all appearances of evil.