Gehazi’s greed leads him to chase after Naaman, showing how righteous actions can be corrupted by selfish motives.
“So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him and said, ‘Is all well?’” (v.21). Here in this verse, we see Gehazi, the servant of Elisha (a prophet in Israel who lived around the 9th century BC), taking it upon himself to chase after Naaman, a high-ranking military commander from Aram. Aram was a region located northeast of the kingdom of Israel, near modern-day Syria. The verse shows an immediate sense of urgency, as Naaman notices someone running behind him and stops his chariot to inquire about the situation. This action reveals Naaman’s concern and his openness to see if something is wrong, exemplified by his question, “Is all well?” (v.21). The backdrop of this pursuit follows Naaman’s healing from leprosy, which occurred by the power of God through Elisha earlier in the chapter.
Moreover, this verse highlights the subtle dynamic between trust and deception, as Gehazi’s pursuit was not authorized by Elisha. In the larger narrative, Gehazi’s intention becomes clear: he plans to request goods and money from Naaman under false pretenses. Gehazi presumably exploits the gratefulness of Naaman, who just received a miraculous cure. This indicates how greed might creep into the hearts of individuals who are close to God’s work. It underscores a cautionary tale that aligns with other teachings in Scripture about the pitfalls of coveting wealth and possessions (see references in the New Testament such as 1 Timothy 6:9).
From another perspective, the question “Is all well?” (v.21) can be seen as an expression of genuine concern. Naaman, who had personally experienced God’s power, displays a gracious readiness to assist if something is amiss. This reflects the transforming effect that God’s grace can have on even those who were previously outsiders to Israel’s faith tradition. In the New Testament, Jesus affirms that faith and responsiveness to God can come from unexpected places (Luke 7:9). Naaman’s openness foreshadows those truths, illustrating how a genuine encounter with God can lead to a changed heart.
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2 Kings 5:21 meaning
“So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him and said, ‘Is all well?’” (v.21). Here in this verse, we see Gehazi, the servant of Elisha (a prophet in Israel who lived around the 9th century BC), taking it upon himself to chase after Naaman, a high-ranking military commander from Aram. Aram was a region located northeast of the kingdom of Israel, near modern-day Syria. The verse shows an immediate sense of urgency, as Naaman notices someone running behind him and stops his chariot to inquire about the situation. This action reveals Naaman’s concern and his openness to see if something is wrong, exemplified by his question, “Is all well?” (v.21). The backdrop of this pursuit follows Naaman’s healing from leprosy, which occurred by the power of God through Elisha earlier in the chapter.
Moreover, this verse highlights the subtle dynamic between trust and deception, as Gehazi’s pursuit was not authorized by Elisha. In the larger narrative, Gehazi’s intention becomes clear: he plans to request goods and money from Naaman under false pretenses. Gehazi presumably exploits the gratefulness of Naaman, who just received a miraculous cure. This indicates how greed might creep into the hearts of individuals who are close to God’s work. It underscores a cautionary tale that aligns with other teachings in Scripture about the pitfalls of coveting wealth and possessions (see references in the New Testament such as 1 Timothy 6:9).
From another perspective, the question “Is all well?” (v.21) can be seen as an expression of genuine concern. Naaman, who had personally experienced God’s power, displays a gracious readiness to assist if something is amiss. This reflects the transforming effect that God’s grace can have on even those who were previously outsiders to Israel’s faith tradition. In the New Testament, Jesus affirms that faith and responsiveness to God can come from unexpected places (Luke 7:9). Naaman’s openness foreshadows those truths, illustrating how a genuine encounter with God can lead to a changed heart.