Naaman was a good man who commanded an army in the country of
Aram. But Naaman had a problem. He had a bad disease called
leprosy.
"Naaman should go see the great prophet Elisha," said a Hebrew
girl who worked for Naaman's wife. "Elisha could heal Naaman"
So Naaman gathered gifts of silver, gold, and fine clothes, and
set off for Israel. When he finally reached Elisha's house, Elisha
didn't even come out. Instead he sent a messenger to Naaman.
"Go
and bathe in the Jordan River seven times, " said the servant.
"And then you will be healed." But Naaman didn't like this
message.
" I could have stayed home and bathed in my own river!" said
Naaman. "I expected more from this prophet."
But Naaman's servants convinced him to give it a try. And so he
did. When Naaman came out of the water the seventh i me, he was
completely healed!
Naaman said to Elisha, "Your God is the only true God. Please
accept these gifts as my thanks."
"As the Lord lives, I will not," said Elisha. For Elisha did not
want to be paid for what God had done. And so Naaman went on his
way, but Elisha's servant followed him. The servant lied to Naaman
and took Naaman's gifts. But when the servant returned, Elisha
knew everything.
"Because of your dishonesty," said Elisha to the servant, "you
will now have Naaman's leprosy."
gifts as my thanks."
