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2 Kings 5 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Remember when King Ahab was shot by a “random arrow” in 1 Kings 22?
Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight; for I am severely wounded.”
1 Kings 22:34 NASB
According to Josephus, the Jewish historian, that certain man was Naaman. He is not identified in the Bible as this man, but Jewish legend holds that it was Naaman who shot the arrow that killed King Ahab. Many believed that because of this superior accomplishment on the battlefield, Naaman was promoted to captain of the Syrian army.
Namaan was also described as an honorable man and a mighty man of valor. This was the same wording given to Gideon and David, and as far as I can tell, Namaan is the only Gentile to receive that kind glowing description.
The king of Israel was upset with Namaan’s offer. He thought that he was expected to do the healing. The king knew he couldn’t, so he tore his clothes in grief thinking that Syria would come to do war with Israel. Once again, we see an example of king Jehoram neglecting to seek the Lord or His prophets.
Faith Through Relationship
The big picture theme of this chapter is a mind focused on God versus a mind focused on self. There are four main characters – Naaman, Elisha, King Jehoram, and Gehazi. Naaman begins the story with a skin disease and by the end of the chapter he is healed. Gehazi begins the chapter in good health and by the end he is diseased.
All of these men play off of their relationships with God and each other. The depth of each relationship is what guides their decisions and ultimately their fate.
- Naaman does not have a deep relationship with God or anyone from Israel (except his slave girl) but he is willing to do whatever it takes to investigate and deepen those relationships.
- Elisha is the guiding force in this chapter. He trusts God but is not completely trusted by anyone except Naaman.
- King Jehoram does trust anyone. He doesn’t have a relationship with God or Elisha (as demonstrated by the tearing of his clothes) and he doesn’t trust that Naaman’s motives are pure.
- Though Gehazi seems to have a close relationship with Elisha, he demonstrates his lack of trust by betraying Elisha and going behind his back.
Naaman had gratitude. Elisha was trustworthy. King Jehoram lacked faith. Gehazi fell to compromise.
Every day, each of us has decisions to make. Regardless of our title (king, prophet, or servant), God is working among us in powerful ways. Consider, each person in this story had at least one opportunity to grow closer to God. Two of them did and two of them did not.
Naaman was a Gentile king and far from God’s power and mercy, but he came close and was healed. King Jehoram was a Jewish king and near to God’s power and mercy, but he closed his heart and decided to live for himself. Many decisions we make today will either drive us closer or further from the relationship we have with our God.
Who will you be in this story?