MPV Commentary

Naaman was a highly respected military leader in the court of Syria, known for his bravery and success.

He was also very wealthy, but he suffered from leprosy, a disease that would have excluded him from society in Israel. However, this did not affect his interactions with others in the Syrian court.

A young Hebrew slave girl who had been captured by the Syrians served as Naaman's wife. She directed his attention to Elisha, the prophet of Israel, who she believed could cure his leprosy. Naaman informed his king about the situation and was given a letter to present to King Jehoram of Israel.

Naaman set out for Samaria with a large entourage, carrying expensive gifts as a gesture of respect in Eastern culture. These included ten talents of silver (a significant amount), 6,000 shekels of gold, and ten sets of fine clothing for special occasions.

When King Jehoram read the letter from Naaman's king, he was alarmed by its contents and tore his clothes in distress. This reaction suggests that Jehoram suspected a trap or an excuse to start a conflict rather than a genuine request for help.