📖 2 Kings — Chapter 5 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Kings 5:1 Now RNaaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man Twith his master, and Thonourable, because by him the LORD had given Tdeliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
2 Kings 5:2 And the Syrians had gone out Rby companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she Twaited on Naaman’s wife.
2 Kings 5:3 And she said unto her mistress, RWould God my lord were Twith the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would Trecover him of his leprosy.
2 Kings 5:4 And one went in, Rand told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.
2 Kings 5:5 And the king of Syria said, RGo to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took Twith him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
2 Kings 5:6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.
2 Kings 5:7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, Rthat he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
2 Kings 5:8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had Rrent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
2 Kings 5:9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
2 Kings 5:10 And Elisha Rsent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
2 Kings 5:11 But RNaaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, TTI thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and Tstrike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
2 Kings 5:12 Are not TAbana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, Rbetter than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
2 Kings 5:13 And Rhis servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
2 Kings 5:14 Then Rwent he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
2 Kings 5:15 And Rhe returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
2 Kings 5:16 But he said, RAs the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
2 Kings 5:17 And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden Rof earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.
2 Kings 5:18 In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, Rand he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.
2 Kings 5:19 And Rhe said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him Ta little way.
2 Kings 5:20 But RGehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
2 Kings 5:21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, Rhe lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, TIs all well?
2 Kings 5:22 And he said, All is well. RMy master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
2 Kings 5:23 And Naaman said, RBe content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
2 Kings 5:24 And when he came to the Ttower, he took them from their hand, Rand bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
2 Kings 5:25 But he went in, and Rstood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went Tno whither.
2 Kings 5:26 And Rhe said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
2 Kings 5:27 The Rleprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 5:1–14 — Naaman learns to receive a humble instruction
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A captive girl points Naaman toward Israel’s prophet. Elisha sends instructions to wash seven times in Jordan, but Naaman initially resents the lack of ceremony. His servants urge him to listen, and he is healed. The girl’s helpful words do not make her captivity just.
Key Truth: Humble counsel can be valuable even from people with little status.
Check What You Remember
1. What was Naaman’s military role? (2 Kings 5:1)
Find it in 2 Kings 5:1 (KJV).
2. In which river was he told to wash? (2 Kings 5:10)
Find it in 2 Kings 5:10 (KJV).
3. How many times did he dip? (2 Kings 5:14)
Find it in 2 Kings 5:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 5:15–19 — A confession and a refused payment
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Naaman acknowledges Israel’s God and offers a gift that Elisha refuses. He expresses a new intention to worship the LORD and asks pardon about his duties in Rimmon’s house. Elisha sends him in peace; this brief reply should not be expanded into a general endorsement of idolatry.
Key Truth: God’s mercy is not a commodity a servant sells.
Check What You Remember
1. Did Elisha accept Naaman’s offered blessing? (2 Kings 5:16)
Find it in 2 Kings 5:16 (KJV).
2. To whom did Naaman intend to offer sacrifice? (2 Kings 5:17)
Find it in 2 Kings 5:17 (KJV).
3. What words did Elisha say as Naaman left? (2 Kings 5:19)
Find it in 2 Kings 5:19 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 5:20–27 — Gehazi’s greed and deception
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Gehazi invents a request from Elisha, takes gifts, hides them, and denies going anywhere. Elisha confronts him and announces judgment. This particular use of illness in judgment does not mean people with illness are generally guilty of Gehazi’s sin.
Key Truth: Greed can turn service into exploitation and falsehood.
Check What You Remember
1. Which servant pursued Naaman for gifts? (2 Kings 5:20)
Find it in 2 Kings 5:20 (KJV).
2. How many talents of silver did Naaman give him? (2 Kings 5:23)
Find it in 2 Kings 5:23 (KJV).
3. Did Gehazi truthfully tell Elisha where he had been? (2 Kings 5:25)
Find it in 2 Kings 5:25 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Luke 4:27 — Jesus recalls Naaman’s cleansing in Elisha’s time.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where do pride or greed make it difficult to receive or offer help honestly? Consider how to listen to humble advice without seeking personal gain.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What unexpected witness begins Naaman’s search for healing?
2. Why does Israel’s king tear his clothes at the letter?
3. What expectation contributes to Naaman’s anger?
4. How do Naaman’s servants reason with him?
5. How does Gehazi’s pursuit contrast with Elisha’s response?
Notes
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