One of the most dramatic episodes recorded in the Old Testament occurred when the Hebrew prophet Elisha healed Naaman, the Syrian, of leprosy (see II Kings 5:1–19 ). Naaman was “a mighty man in valour,” whose military leadership had won important victories for the king of Syria. Having heard a report that Naaman could be healed by Elisha of his affliction, the Syrian king supplied a great treasure to take to Israel in payment for that anticipated healing.
Naaman went first to the king of Israel, who gave him directions to Elisha’s house. What happened next is not what Naaman had expected. Here he was, a VIP, a powerful foreign dignitary ready to offer a huge treasure for a healing, and the supposed healer didn’t even bother to come out of his house and greet Naaman in person. You can imagine what the Syrian was thinking: Doesn’t this man realize how important I am and how big a problem I have? Yet all Naaman got was a messenger from Elisha telling him to go wash himself seven times in the Jordan River. The proud commander stormed off in a rage.
Those familiar with the story know the episode had a happy ending for Naaman. His servants calmed him down and reasoned with him: “If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” So the mighty man followed Elisha’s simple instructions, dipped himself seven times in Jordan, and was instantly and completely healed of the disease.
