Bible Study Lesson/Notes for 2 Kings 5: Naaman the Syrian is Healed from Leprosy

(The following are my notes and hand-out for an Adult Sunday School class I taught on 2 Kings 5. This chapter tells the famous story of Naaman the Syrian (Aramean) and his healing from leprosy. This study is designed to have class discussion and interaction.)

2 Kings 5:1
This was during the time of the divided kingdom, with Israel (Samaria) in the North, and Judah in the South. The kingdom just north of Israel was the kingdom of Aram (also called Syria). The capital was Damascus, where Naaman and his king, Be-Hadad, II lived.

There was currently peace between Israel and Aram. The military victory Naaman is famous for here is most likely in regards to when the Assyrians were defeated in 853 BC by Aram.

We must be careful when we see the term "leprosy" in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament; this term was used to refer to a variety of skin diseases. What we consider "leprosy" today (Hansen's Disease) wasn't most likely present in Palestine until after the time of Alexander the Great when these Greek soldiers brought it back from India. In Jesus' day, however, Hansen's Disease was in Palestine, so some of the lepers he healed may very well have been what we call "lepers" today.

If you read the description of OT Biblical "leprosy" in Leviticus 13:1-8, you'll see the symptoms don't match Hansen's Disease.

2 Kings 5:2-4
Though peace had been declared between Israel and Aram, border raids between the two countries were not uncommon. The prophet that the young girl is talking about is Elisha. He is not to be confused with Elisah, though he served him for many years before succeeding him. Read 2 Kings 2:1-14. If you are wondering about this "double portion", this is in regards to inheritance law. Read Deuteronomy 21:15-17. Elisha was stating his desire to inherit and carry on the prophetic ministry, like a first born son.

From these first four verses, what can we surmise about Naaman's character? What about the Israelite servant girl?

2 Kings 5:5-6
What does it say about how the King of Aram viewed healings and "prophets" that he sent Naaman to the King of Israel with this letter and such expensive gifts?

2 Kings 5:7-8
The King of Israel at this time was Joram And though he wasn't quite as bad as his parents, Ahab and Jezebel, he was not a "righteous" king. Read 2 Kings 3:1-3. As we read on, we can see that his relationship with the prophet was strained and tense and the prophet had no real respect for him at all. Read 2 Kings 3:4-14. Here in 2 Kings 5 the King of Israel sees the King of Aram's letter in terms of politics; he thinks Aram is trying to find a reason to start a war. The prophet rightly rebukes the King of Israel. What do you think is this king's sin in this particular case?

2 Kings 5:9
What does the fact that Naaman came with his horses and chariots to Elisha's house tell us about his character?

2 Kings 5:10
Why did the prophet send a messenger, rather than going himself? Why did Naaman have to do anything at all -- why not just have the messenger say "go in peace you are healed"? What is the significance of bathing? Why 7 times? And why the Jordan?

2 Kings 5:11-12
What does Naaman's reaction tell us about the man's character, how he saw himself, and his personal beliefs about how healings come about? What did he find so upsetting about the prophet's commands?

2 Kings 5:13-14
One of the significant aspects of this story is that Naaman, the great Aramean commander, actually listens to his servants, and takes their advice. He is healed, in part, because of his willingness to humble himself and to obey. This is one of his defining moral choices.

Naaman came to this place because of other people's faith. If they had not been people of faith, he would not have been healed. In this story there are at least two that we can easily name: the young girl and Elisha. We need to remember that our faith (or lack) can help or hinder other people's healings/blessings.

2 Kings 5:15
Naaman's confession was in direct contrast to the people of Israel that continued to waver between whether to follow the One True God (Yahweh) or the pagan Baal and Ashtoreth idols. Read 1 Kings 18:21. Naaman knew that his healing was a divine miracle, done by God. Jesus comments on this amazing faith, from a pagan, and contrasts it to the Jews' unbelief. Read Luke 4:24-27. So, what can we surmise from Jesus's comments about how often people approached Elijah and Elisha, asking for miracles/healings?

2 Kings 5:16
Why did the prophet refuse Naaman's gift?

2 Kings 5:17-19
These three verses are one of my favorite passages in the Bible because of the insights we get into OT beliefs and because we see clear evidence of positive changes in Naaman. I also love Elisha's "Go in peace."

And now we get to see how this wonderful miracle of God get distorted and smeared by another man's greed and lies.

2 Kings 5:20-21
What sign do we have, here, that Naaman's character has changed and the he is no longer the same prideful man we met at the beginning of this story?

2 Kings 5:22-24
What is Gehazi's sin here? Did Naaman sin?

2 Kings 5:25
Do you get the sense here that Gehazi wasn't particularly bright?

2 Kings 5:26
There is nothing evil or sinful in money, servants, olive groves, etc. Though Gehazi is clearly a liar and greedy, the sin he is really being rebuked for here is making money off of God's grace.

2 Kings 5:27
This seems very harsh, and very extreme. We note here that Gehazi makes no effort to beg Elisha to intercede with God on his behalf. This is in dramatic contrast to what happened when Miriam, Moses's sister was struck with leprosy because of her sin. Read Numbers 12:1-15. Gehazi's story is more like what happened to King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. Do you think it is fair that Gehazi's descendants will have to suffer because of his sin? Can you think of any positive results coming out of Gehazi's (and Uzziah's) punishment?

Blessings!

Source
Women's Devotional Bible. New International Version