Naaman Healed of his Leprosy. This story, familiar to all, presupposes a time of peace between Israel and Syria. As in 1 Kings 20, the king of Syria addresses the king of Israel (unnamed here) as his vassal (2 Kings 5:6 ff.). Elisha was living in Samaria, apparently in his own house. Naaman, on being healed, returned to Elisha, who refused to take any present, using Elijah's formula (1 Kings 17:1 *). Naaman thereupon declared himself a worshipper of Yahweh (it is remarkable that 2 Kings 5:1 ascribes his victories to Yahweh), asking pardon if in his official capacity he bows himself before Rimmon (Ramman, the thunder-god of the Assyrians). Readers of Tom Brown's Schooldays will remember the not unnatural discussion amongst the boys as to why Elisha bade Naaman go in peace, as though he approved his action. The phrase merely means farewell. Gehazi pursued Naaman and returned to the hill (2 Kings 5:24); the word is Ophel, elsewhere in the Bible only applied to Jerusalem (p. 297), but also found on the Moabite Stone (1. 22; Driver, Samuel 2, p. lxxxvii. renders the Mound). Elisha's rebuke (2 Kings 5:26 b) becomes in the LXX and Vulg. and now thou hast received money. and the leprosy of Naaman shall cleave to thee. As though the infection of the disease clave to the present which Gehazi had received.

12. p. 33. 2 Kings 5:17. cf. 1 Samuel 26:19 f.

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