The Story of How Naaman was Healed, Part 1 (2 Kings 5)

Naaman was a very important man in the Syrian army. The Bible says he was “captain of the host of the king of Syria.” In other words he was commander of the entire army. In the eyes of the king he was “a great man…an honorable man…he was also a mighty man in valour.” Through Naaman the Lord delivered Syria from their enemies and kept the people safe. The king was really glad to have him in charge of his army, but at the same time Naaman had a big, big problem. He was a leper, and leprosy was not a disease to be taken lightly. A leper’s skin would turn white and be covered with scales. Parts of his body would slowly decay away until he finally died. There was no cure for leprosy in that day, but there was a little slave girl that worked for Naaman’s wife who believed God would heal Naaman if he went to Elisha the prophet. Everyone knew this girl had a kind and sincere heart, and I think they believed her testimony about how God worked miracles through Elisha the prophet. So the king of Syria sent Naaman to the king of Israel with a letter requesting that Naaman be healed. It was a long journey, about 100 miles, and Naaman took with him silver and gold and special items of clothing as a gift for the one that would heal him of his leprosy. When the king of Israel read the letter from the king of Syria, he tore his garments as people did in those days when they were in deep trouble. He knew he had no power to heal Naaman, and he thought the king of Syria was trying to make an excuse to start a war with him. What do you think will happen? Will there be a war? Will Naaman be healed of his leprosy? Come back tomorrow for the rest of the story.