1. Naaman, commander of the army for the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded because through him, the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man was a brave warrior, but he had a skin disease.
2. Aram had gone on raids and brought back from the land of Israel a young girl who served Naaman’s wife.
3. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his skin disease.”
4. So Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said.
5. Therefore, the king of Aram said, “Go and I will send a letter with you to the king of Israel.”So he went and took with him 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and 10 changes of clothes.
6. He brought the letter to the king of Israel, and it read:When this letter comes to you, note that I have sent you my servant Naaman for you to cure him of his skin disease.
7. When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life that this man expects me to cure a man of his skin disease? Think it over and you will see that he is only picking a fight with me.”
8. When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel tore his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Have him come to me, and he will know there is a prophet in Israel.”