Gehazi’s actions reveal the dangers of greed and the importance of guarding our hearts against pursuing dishonest gain.
Gehazi, a prominent figure in Elisha’s household, sets the stage for this verse during the ministry of Elisha in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (circa mid-9th century BC). He witnesses Elisha’s miraculous healing of Naaman—an Aramean general from Aram, an ancient kingdom located in the region of present-day Syria, particularly centered around Damascus—and becomes fixated on the rewards Naaman brought. The verse says, “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ‘Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.’” (v.20). Gehazi’s words reveal a spirit of greed and self-interest that directly contrasts with Elisha’s refusal to accept any gift, demonstrating a heart longing for personal gain instead of resting in the provision of God.
By calling Naaman “the Aramean,”“But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ‘Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean…” (v.20), the text clarifies that this powerful foreign military leader, healed by Israel’s God, was spared any payment or compensation. It highlights the radical grace extended through Elisha’s ministry. Gehazi felt slighted by his master’s gracious act, believing that they should have benefited from Naaman’s offerings. This internal thought foreshadows his decision to pursue Naaman, fueled by envy and materialism. The same dynamic—an ungrateful heart that prioritizes earthly reward above God’s glory—appears in various places in Scripture, and Jesus warns about laying up treasures on earth, but instead encouraging us to store treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).
Gehazi’s determination is underscored by the oath-like declaration, “As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” (v.20). This promise perverts the language of devout commitment, twisting words normally reserved for acts of faithfulness into a tool for personal gain. Historically, Elisha, who had followed in Elijah’s prophetic footsteps around 848-797 BC, expected his servant to embrace righteous practices, but Gehazi’s decision demonstrates the ease with which people can stray from faithfulness. This dissonance—between God’s miraculous healing for a foreign soldier and the servant’s hunger for worldly riches—points forward to the New Testament warning that the love of money can derail one’s spiritual life (1 Timothy 6:10).
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2 Kings 5:20 meaning
Gehazi, a prominent figure in Elisha’s household, sets the stage for this verse during the ministry of Elisha in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (circa mid-9th century BC). He witnesses Elisha’s miraculous healing of Naaman—an Aramean general from Aram, an ancient kingdom located in the region of present-day Syria, particularly centered around Damascus—and becomes fixated on the rewards Naaman brought. The verse says, “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ‘Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.’” (v.20). Gehazi’s words reveal a spirit of greed and self-interest that directly contrasts with Elisha’s refusal to accept any gift, demonstrating a heart longing for personal gain instead of resting in the provision of God.
By calling Naaman “the Aramean,” “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ‘Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean…” (v.20), the text clarifies that this powerful foreign military leader, healed by Israel’s God, was spared any payment or compensation. It highlights the radical grace extended through Elisha’s ministry. Gehazi felt slighted by his master’s gracious act, believing that they should have benefited from Naaman’s offerings. This internal thought foreshadows his decision to pursue Naaman, fueled by envy and materialism. The same dynamic—an ungrateful heart that prioritizes earthly reward above God’s glory—appears in various places in Scripture, and Jesus warns about laying up treasures on earth, but instead encouraging us to store treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).
Gehazi’s determination is underscored by the oath-like declaration, “As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” (v.20). This promise perverts the language of devout commitment, twisting words normally reserved for acts of faithfulness into a tool for personal gain. Historically, Elisha, who had followed in Elijah’s prophetic footsteps around 848-797 BC, expected his servant to embrace righteous practices, but Gehazi’s decision demonstrates the ease with which people can stray from faithfulness. This dissonance—between God’s miraculous healing for a foreign soldier and the servant’s hunger for worldly riches—points forward to the New Testament warning that the love of money can derail one’s spiritual life (1 Timothy 6:10).