Some time after Eliseus cured of leprosy, in a miraculous manner, Naaman[1] general of the Syrian army, a rich and valiant man. The wife of Naaman had in her service a young Israelite girl who had been carried off into Syria by robbers. This maiden then said one day to her mistress: “I wish my master had been with the prophet that is in Samaria. He would certainly have healed him of the leprosy.” When Naaman heard this he set out for Samaria with horses and chariots.
When Naaman reached the prophet’s dwelling he sent a messenger to let him know of his coming, and why he had come. Eliseus sent him word by his servant Giezi to bathe seven times in the Jordan, and he would be healed. Naaman was angry[2] and went away, saying: “I thought he would have come
- ↑ Naaman. Syria with its capital Damascus is situated to the north-east of Israel. Naaman was the king’s general, a rich and valiant man. He travelled into Israel with horses and chariots, taking much gold with him.
- ↑ Angry. Naaman was neither pleased with his reception, which he thought disrespectful, nor with the remedy proposed, which did not commend itself to his natural reason. “If that be all”, he thought, “I might as well have stayed at home, and as for bathing in the dirty waters of the Jordan, the river of Damascus is far preferable and better.”
