2 Kings 5:21
So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to focus on Gehazi's greed here, but notice Naaman's immediate, humble response. Despite being a powerful Syrian commander, he stops his chariot and asks, "Is all well?", showing genuine concern for the person approaching him. This reveals a man transformed by Elisha's ministry, even in this unexpected encounter.
Gehazi, Elisha's servant, has just committed a terrible act of greed by lying to Naaman and taking a substantial amount of silver and two changes of clothes, all behind Elisha's back. He's now running after Naaman, the Syrian commander whom Elisha miraculously healed of leprosy, hoping to secure his ill-gotten gains. Naaman, a man who has just experienced profound divine power and kindness, is now encountering Gehazi's deceit and greed, completely unaware of Elisha's disassociation from his servant's actions.
Even after witnessing God's power through Elisha, Gehazi succumbs to greed. Have you ever found yourself repeating old, destructive patterns?
Gehazi's decision to pursue Naaman reveals the insidious nature of covetousness. Despite seeing Elijah healed from leprosy through God's power, and likely hearing Elisha's rebuke of Naaman's initial offer, Gehazi chooses to chase after money. This pursuit isn't just about personal gain; it's a spiritual blindness that ignores the profound encounter with God that just occurred. He sees a material opportunity rather than the divine miracle.
His actions echo the internal struggle many face: the pull of worldly desires versus the call to live a life transformed by God. Gehazi's quick decision highlights how easily our hearts can drift back to old habits when we're not actively guarding them.
Naaman, a man accustomed to command, reacts with surprising kindness. What does this teach us about responding to those who might be chasing us for the wrong reasons?
Naaman's response is remarkable. When he sees someone running after him, his immediate thought isn't suspicion or anger, but concern. He stops his chariot – a significant act of humility for a man of his status – and asks, 'Is all well?'
This isn't the reaction of a man who has just been deceived, but of someone who has experienced profound healing and is perhaps attuned to the spiritual atmosphere. His question, 'Is all well?', is layered. On the surface, he might be asking if there's a practical need. But given the context of his recent miraculous healing, it could also be a deeper inquiry: 'Is your heart right? Is everything okay spiritually?' Naaman, having been healed by God, displays a grace that stands in stark contrast to Gehazi's deceit.
Understand the original words
shalom · Hebrew Noun
A prophetic term of greeting or inquiry, literally meaning "peace" or "completeness." It often functions as a welfare check regarding the physical, relational, or spiritual state of a person.
The story unfolds during a period of intense geopolitical tension between Aram (Syria) and Israel, highlighting the personal drama of faith and deceit against a backdrop of ongoing conflict and divine intervention.
c. 842 BC— this verse
Naaman's Healing
Naaman, a commander in the Syrian army, is miraculously healed of leprosy by the prophet Elisha in Israel. This event deeply impacts Naaman and his household.
c. 842 BC
Gehazi's Greed and Punishment
Gehazi, Elisha's servant, lies to Naaman and accepts a gift, incurring Elisha's wrath. He is then afflicted with leprosy himself as punishment.
c. 842 BC
Syrian Raids on Israel
Following Naaman's visit, Syria likely continued its raids and military engagements against Israel, as was common during this period of conflict.
c. 830s BC
Aram-Damascus Dominates Israel
The kingdom of Aram-Damascus (Syria) under leaders like Hazael exerted significant military pressure and dominance over the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
This verse highlights God's perspective versus human perspective, echoing Naaman's initial focus on outward appearances and Gehazi's deceptive motive which God sees through.
Proverbs 11:1This proverb speaks about dishonest scales being an abomination to the Lord, directly correlating with Gehazi's deceitful actions driven by greed.
Luke 16:10Jesus teaches that faithfulness in small things (like honesty) leads to faithfulness in larger things, a principle Gehazi utterly failed to grasp as he pursued ill-gotten gain.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse directly addresses the corrupting influence of the love of money, which is precisely what motivated Gehazi's transgression.
It's easy to focus on Gehazi's greed here, but notice Naaman's immediate, humble response. Despite being a powerful Syrian commander, he stops his chariot and asks, "Is all well?", showing genuine concern for the person approaching him. This reveals a man transformed by Elisha's ministry, even in this unexpected encounter.
Gehazi, Elisha's servant, has just committed a terrible act of greed by lying to Naaman and taking a substantial amount of silver and two changes of clothes, all behind Elisha's back. He's now running after Naaman, the Syrian commander whom Elisha miraculously healed of leprosy, hoping to secure his ill-gotten gains. Naaman, a man who has just experienced profound divine power and kindness, is now encountering Gehazi's deceit and greed, completely unaware of Elisha's disassociation from his servant's actions.
Gehazi, Elisha's servant, has just committed a terrible act of greed by lying to Naaman and taking a substantial amount of silver and two changes of clothes, all behind Elisha's back. He's now running after Naaman, the Syrian commander whom Elisha miraculously healed of leprosy, hoping to secure his ill-gotten gains. Naaman, a man who has just experienced profound divine power and kindness, is now encountering Gehazi's deceit and greed, completely unaware of Elisha's disassociation from his servant's actions.
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c. 734-732 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Israel
The Neo-Assyrian Empire began its westward expansion, leading to the invasion of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the capture of many of its cities.
"So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?”" — It's easy to focus on Gehazi's greed here, but notice Naaman's immediate, humble response. Despite being a powerful Syrian commander, he stops his chariot and asks, "Is all well?", showing genuine co…
