The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 77

Hebrew maid, led to his visit to Elisha, ended in his cure and his conversion to the faith of the God oflsrael. He was one who could say, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted" (Ps. cxix. 71). How often are seeming crosses and trials thus over- ruled for good ! "Men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, ~nd cleanseth them" (Job xxxvii. 21). The evangelical application or the story is aided by the fact that leprosy is so impressive a type of sin-insidious pro- gressive, corrupting, fate.I. ' II. THE SLAVE-GmL's ADVICE. It was God's design to show mercy to Naaman for his own glory, as well as for a testimony that the Gentiles were not outside the s~ope of his grace. The instrument in accomplishing that design was a little Hebrew maid. 1. Her presence in Naarnan's house. She bad been taken in a marauding expedition and brought to Syria as a captive. Sold, perhaps, like Joseph, in the slave-me.rket, sh~ had been purchased as an attendant for Naaman's wife. Her presence in the great captain's household was thus: (1) providential, even as was Joseph's residence in the house of Potiphar; (2) ;;ad, for she was torn from her own land and friends, and the thought of their sorrow at her loss would add to hers; yet (3) designed for blessing. It not only gave her the opportunity of doing good to her master, but no doubt ulti- mately turned to her own great advantage. Another example of how the thinus which seem all "against us" (Gen. xlii. 36) are often for our good (comp. Gen. I. 20)." 2. Her hdpful suggestion. Slave though she wa.s, the little maid was in possession of a secret which the great Naa.man did not know, and which was worth "thousands of gold and silver" (Ps. cxix. 72) to him. She dropped a hint to her mistress, " Would God my lord were with the prophet tha.t is in Sa.maria.!" etc. Her suggestion was indicative of: (1) Pity. Though a slave, her heart was tender, even towards her master. She was grieved for his affliction. She yearned to see him recovered. Her " would God I " is almost a prayer for his recovery. (2) Fidelity. It is told of Joseph that he was faithful as a servant in the house of his master the Egyptian (Gen. :xxxix. 2-6). This little maid, though a " servant under the yoke" (1 Tim. vi. 1), yet "counted her master worthy of all honour" (1 Tim. vi. 1). She served, "not with eye-service, as men-pleasers," but "in singleness of heart," " with good will doing service" (Eph. vi. 6-7), though her lord was an alien, and might seem to have little claim upon her gratitude. As a good servant should, she desired his prosperity in mind, body, a.nd estate. In this was shown (3) her disinterestedness. In her position it need not have been wondered at if she had secretly rejoiced at her master's affliction. But her heart cherished no resentment. Anticipating the gospel, she sought to return good for evil (Matt. v. 44). We learn from this part of the story (1) that even the humblest may be of essential service to those above them. Most of all is this the case when they possess the knowledge of the trne God. A hint dropped may guide the spiritual leper to the fountain of healing. (2) The young, too, should take encouragement. In their several stations they may be greatly used for good. (3) We should do to others the utmost good we ce.n, even though they are our enemies. IIL THE .A.RROGANT KING's EPISTLE. The news of what the little maid bad ea.id soon spread abroad, and came first to the ears of Naaman, then to the ears of th? King of Syria (Benhadad ?). 1. TM King of Syria's epi.stle. The monarch valued his general, and was ready to take any steps to further his cure. .Accordingly, he indited a letter, and sent Naaman with it., with much pomp and state, to the King of Israel (Jehoram ?). He sends: (1) With the arrogance of a victor. The tone of his communication to the monarch at Sa.maria. was unmistakably of the nature of command. It haughtily announces that he has sent Naaman to him, and requires that he shall recover him from his disease. There lurks in the letter a reminder of the defeat at Ra.moth-Gilead (1 Kings xxii.). (2) With the ignorance of a heathen. He writes to the rival ruler as if it lay in his power to kill and to make a.live. He probably thought that the king had only to command, to compel Elisha to serve him _i°: ~ny way ~e pleased: Hen~c, without mentioning Elisha, he Ja.ys the whole respons1b1hty ~f seeing that his captam is cured on the shoulders of Jehora.m. He has the notion-common enough to monarch&-that kings should be supreme in religion as in everything else. He thinks that God's prophets must take their command~ from whoever chances to_ ocCUJ?Y the throne. (3) With the munificence of a sovereign. If there was haughtmess ID the $One of his leLter, he did not at lea.et send his officer without abunda.Jlt rewards, He on. v. 1-27.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. 115