Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and honorable because by him the Lord had given deliverance to Syria. He was also a mighty warrior, but he suffered from a loathsome disease, leprosy.

The Syrians had taken captive from the land of Israel a young girl who served as a maid in Naaman's household. She said to her mistress, "Would that my lord were with the prophet in Samaria, so he could be healed of his leprosy." The king of Syria heard this and sent a letter to the king of Israel, accompanied by a vast sum of silver, gold, and fine clothing.

When the king of Israel received the letter, he tore his clothes, shocked that someone would ask him to cure a leper. But Elisha, a prophet in Israel, learned about the king's distress and sent word for the king to come to him. When Naaman arrived at Elisha's house with his horses and chariot, Elisha surprisingly did not meet with him personally.

Instead, he sent a messenger who instructed Naaman to go to the Jordan River and wash seven times in its waters. Naaman was taken aback by this simple instruction and felt that it was an insult. He questioned whether the waters of the Jordan were superior to those of his homeland, Abana and Pharpar. In his rage, he turned back.

Naaman's servants intervened, reminding him that even if Elisha had asked for a great deed, he should have done it without question. They urged Naaman to obey Elisha's instructions and wash in the Jordan. Reluctantly, Naaman followed their advice and washed seven times, as instructed. To his amazement, his leprosy was completely gone.

Naaman returned to Elisha with all his entourage, acknowledging that there was no God like the Lord in all the earth. He asked for a blessing from Elisha but was refused. Naaman then pledged to worship only the Lord and to offer no sacrifices to any other god. He also asked for permission to take some soil back to Syria as a memorial.

Elisha blessed him, saying "Go in peace," and Naaman departed with two of his servants carrying gifts for Elisha's young prophets from Mount Ephraim. Unbeknownst to Elisha, however, one of his servants, Gehazi, had been watching Naaman and had devised a plan to enrich himself.

Gehazi chased after Naaman, who was unaware of the servant's intentions, and asked him if everything was all right. Naaman replied that it was and that he had brought gifts for Elisha's young prophets from Mount Ephraim. Gehazi asked to take two talents of silver and some clothing, which Naaman gladly provided.

However, when Gehazi arrived back at Elisha's house with the loot, he was met with a stern warning. Elisha sensed that his servant had been dishonest and accused him of taking gifts from Naaman for himself. As a consequence, Elisha pronounced a curse upon Gehazi: the leprosy would cling to him and his descendants forever, just as it had clung to Naaman when he left Elisha's presence.