Naaman The Leprous Captain, Part 1

Leprosy, the dreaded disease so prevalent in the Bible, still exists today, though its definition has changed drastically. Now called Hansen’s disease, it refers to a specific type of bacterial infection treatable by antibiotics and much less contagious. The leprosy of the Bible was a different kind of monster—it was a death sentence. And like death, it was no respecter of persons.

Naaman was a very prestigious personage in ancient Syria. A war hero renowned for his bravery and honor, he was a captain of the Syrian army, wealthy, well-respected, and highly valued by Benhadad, the king (2 Kings 5:1). One would think that his was the epitome of a charmed life, except for one extremely important detail—Naaman was a leper.

This was not the kind of disease that stayed locked behind closed doors, a family secret, a skeleton in the closet. Everyone saw this; everyone knew what it meant—even the little captive slave girl that Naaman had brought back for his wife during one of his battles against the kingdom of Israel.

One day, the little slave, she of a pure, compassionate heart, told Naaman’s wife of a prophet in her homeland, a man used mightily by the true God who would be able to cure her master (v. 3). And Naaman and his wife believed

her. What trust they must have had in the little Israelite, and how powerful a testament to her character and to the work God had done in her young heart!

So, with consent and letters of introduction from Benhadad himself, Naaman journeyed to Israel in search of this prophet. After an audience with Joram, king in Israel, who, if not for the prophet’s own interception, might have faithlessly spoiled the Syrian’s purpose, Naaman was led directly to the door of Elisha, the very man of whom his servant girl had spoken (vv. 6–9). There he arrived with his splendor and his entourage and bearing a mountain of payment in gold, silver, and clothing (v. 5).

Now the moment of truth had come. Who was this great prophet who could perform so great a miracle?

Reflect: How can we find blessings through our physical ailments? Why is it that we seem to seek after God more often and more consistently when we are physically distressed?

Key Bible Texts

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. (Luke 4:27 KJV)