Naaman the Syrian Commander
The decorated Syrian general and 'great man of valor' who suffered from leprosy beneath his armor — and who humbled his pride at his servants' appeal, dipped seven times in the muddy Jordan River, and emerged with skin restored like a little child's.
Commander of the army of the King of Syria, Naaman was a mighty man of valor through whom the LORD had given victory to Syria — 'but he was a leper' (2 Kings 5:1). Hearing from his wife's captive Israelite servant girl about the prophet in Samaria, Naaman traveled to Israel with ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten festal garments, expecting a grand VIP ceremony at Elisha's door (2 Kings 5:2–9).
When Elisha did not even come outside, sending a messenger to tell him, 'Go and wash in the Jordan seven times,' Naaman turned away in rage praising the clean rivers of Damascus, Abana and Pharpar (2 Kings 5:10–12). Persuaded by his servants ('My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it?'), Naaman stepped down from his chariot, stripped off his armor, and dipped seven times in the Jordan. On the seventh dip his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he confessed, 'Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel' (2 Kings 5:13–15).
The Belt of Truth — Gehazi's Hidden Silver
Gehazi's hidden silver exposed under Elisha's discerning gaze.
