2 Kings 5
CBNotes2 Kings 5:1
Naaman. Note the five servants in this chapter:
- The King’s servant (Naaman) 2 Kings 5:1.
- Naaman’s wife’s servant (the maid), 2 Kings 5:2.
- Jehovah’s servant (Elisha), 2 Kings 5:8.
- Naaman’s servants (2 Kings 5:13).
- The Prophet’s servant (Gehazi), 2 Kings 5:20.
was = had come to be.
by him. An unconscious instrument.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
deliverance. Probably from the Assyrians.
but, &c. Figure of speech Anesis. App-6.
a leper. Compare Leviticus 13. Not regarded ceremonially by heathen. Not far gone (2 Kings 5:19). Probably only in initial stage. One of nine so afflicted. See note on Exodus 4:6. The story of Naaman may be compared with the parallel in John 9.
2 Kings 5:2
companies = marauding bands. Compare 2 Kings 6:23.
2 Kings 5:3
Would God, &c. Figure of speech Ejaculatio. App-6.
in Samaria. This is the girl’s expression. Samaria was where she had heard of him.
2 Kings 5:5
king of Israel. Probably Jehoram.
talents. See App-51.
changes of raiment. See Genesis 45:22.
2 Kings 5:6
recover. A Homonym, with another meaning, to snatch away or destroy, as in Psalms 26:9 and Jeremiah 16:5. See notes there.
2 Kings 5:7
Am I God . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.
God. Hebrew. Elohim.(the Creator). App-4.
2 Kings 5:8
man of God. See App-49.
2 Kings 5:9
door = entrance.
2 Kings 5:10
Go and wash. Compare John 9:7, and other commands: “Go, call” (John 4:16); “Go, sell” (Matthew 19:21).
wash = bathe (ceremonially). See note on Leviticus 14:9.
2 Kings 5:11
I thought. Compare 2 Kings 5:15, “Now I know”. Human thought and Divine certitude.
strike = wave, move, or pass.
2 Kings 5:12
Are not. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.
Abana. Some codices, and three early printed editions, read “Amana”.
rivers. Hebrew. nahar, an ever-flowing stream. (Not nahal, a summer stream.) Rising in Mount Hermon and losing themselves in a lake near Damascus.
Damascus. Used of the district, or of the city near which they flowed and were known.
in a rage. One of eleven rulers offended with God’s servants for speaking the truth. See note on Exodus 10:28.
2 Kings 5:13
servants. Again used by God. Compare verses: 2 Kings 5:2-4.
My father. A title of honour and affection.
2 Kings 5:14
came again. The tenth miracle of Elisha. See note on 2 Kings 2:15.
child = boy.
2 Kings 5:15
returned. About thirty miles.
now I know. Compare “Behold, I thought”, 2 Kings 5:11.
take = accept.
blessing = a present. Compare Genesis 33:11. Judges 1:15.
2 Kings 5:16
before, &c. A phrase referring to priesthood, for the sacrifices Naaman speaks of (2 Kings 5:17).
2 Kings 5:17
earth = soil. Naaman may have heard of Exo 20:24.
offer = prepare. See App-43.
2 Kings 5:18
Simmon. The Assyrian storm-god Ramman.
worship = bow down himself. leaneth. Compare 2 Kings 7:2, 2 Kings 7:17.
the LORD pardon = Jehovah pardon. Some codices add “I pray thee”, but marked “to be cancelled”.
2 Kings 5:19
Go in peace. God’s servants are not “directors of conscience”, but ministers of His Word. To have sanctioned it would have recognized idolatry. To have forbidden it would have put Naaman under a yoke to Elisha. It was for Naaman to decide whether he could do this thing, and be at “peace”.
a little way. A phrase found only here and Genesis 35:16 with Genesis 48:7. = a stone’s throw.
2 Kings 5:20
servant = young man.
somewhat = a trifle.
2 Kings 5:21
Is all well? Hebrew Is it peace?
2 Kings 5:22
mount Ephraim. There were two schools of the prophets there: Beth-el and Gilgal. Compare 2 Kings 2:1; 2 Kings 2:3.
2 Kings 5:23
take = accept. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read “and accept”.
2 Kings 5:26
Went not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. = Did not my heart beat?
2 Kings 5:27
cleave. Elisha’s eleventh miracle. See note on 2 Kings 2:15.
a leper. One of the nine afflicted with leprosy. See note on Exodus 4:6.
as snow. i.e. completely a leper; but not clean ceremonially. See note on Leviticus 13:13.