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2 Kings 5:1-17
(2 Kings 5:2-14)
(2 Kings 5:1-14)
(2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c)
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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Hebrew Interlinear Bible, WLCv, WLC5, CHES, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • IV.9, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • VI.28, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
  • From the Geneva Notes (c.1599).
    • "Man's reason murmurs when it considers only the signs and outward things, and has no regard for the word of God, which is contained there."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.(c. 1700)
    • "Though the Syrians were idolaters, and oppressed God's people, yet the deliverance of which Naaman had been the means, is here ascribed to the Lord."
  • From Wesley's Notes. John Wesley (1703-1791).
    • "Not that he thought it unlawful to receive presents, which he did receive from others, but because of the special circumstances of the case; this being much for the honour of God that the Syrians should see the generous piety, and kindness of his ministers and servants, and how much they despised all that worldly wealth and glory, which the prophets of the Gentiles so greedily sought after."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "This leprosy, which, in Israel, would have excluded him from society, did not affect his free intercourse in the court of Syria."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Brian C Jones, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2019.
    • "The story of the healing of Naaman is about entitlement, power, and pride."
  • "Our Faith, Their Health," Connections Next Sunday Resources, 2019.
    • "What do we make of the statement that “the Lord had given victory to Aram” through Naaman (v. 1)? Do we find it surprising that God worked in this way in the foreign nation of Syria (Aram)? Why or why not?"
  • "Resource-Less or Resourceful," Amy Lindeman Allen, Political Theology, 2019.
    • "In the midst of a complicated and troubled world it may seem impossible to make a difference, and yet, the wish of a little Israelite girl says otherwise."
  • Commentary, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Stephen Reid, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
    • "At Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia there is a tomb of the Unknowns."
  • "Moral Leprosy," Adriene Thorne, ON Scripture, 2016.
  • "General Naaman's Bath," Stana Duncan, If You Lived Here You'd Be Home By Now, 2016.
  • "Improbable Emisssaries," John C. Holbert, The Peripatetic Preacher, 2016.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2016.
  • Commentary, 2 Kings 5:1-14 |Randy Cloud | Chair, Department of Bible, Theology, and Mission; MNU | A Plain Account, 2016
    • "One of the most compelling ways through which we learn God's truth as it is offered to us through the written Word is by examining passages of Scripture with our lens of comparison and contrast fully engaged."
  • Pulpit Fiction, with podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2016.
  • Commentary, 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c, Roger Nam, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
    • "'How can we pray for you?'"
  • Commentary, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Karla Suomata, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
    • "Being treated as a nonentity by rude or busy practitioners and then being subjected to strange and distasteful procedures -- this is very much the stuff of life on the other side of health and wholeness. Losing his identity, becoming a number, and feeling foolish and desperate at the same time proved overwhelming to Naaman. How could he possibly trust the prophet's strange prescription relayed through a lowly underling?"
  • "Looking for God in All the Wrong Places," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2013.
    • "Is it possible that even we tend to look for God in all the wrong places?"
  • The Lectionary Lab, Pentecost +7, the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2013. Lectionary Lab Live podcast.
  • "Magic Pill," Beth Scibienski, A Thousand Words of Inspiration, 2013.
  • "Trickle-Down Health Care? The Politics of 2 Kings 5:1-14," MaryAnn McKibben Dana, Political Theology, 2013.
  • Pulpit Fiction, podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2013.
  • "Not For Sale," "Naaman," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
    • "When Elisha got wind of it, he told Gehazi that the healing power of God was not for sale to the highest bidder and, to press his point home, transferred Naaman's leprosy to him. For the sake of Naaman's newfound faith in Yahweh as above all a God of love and mercy, it would be nice to believe that news of Elisha's overreaction never reached him in Syria."
  • Commentary, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Steed Davidson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
    • "Why does this business of healing have to be a business? "
  • Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
  • "Buying Access to God's Healing," Michael Danner, The Hardest Question, 2012.
    • " Why did Jesus have to set our healing hopes so high?"
  • "Wisdom from Below," John C. Holbert, Patheos, 2012.
    • "...listen to those who have little power."
  • "Naaman the Warrior Becomes a Whole Man," Michael Coffey, 2012.
  • "Naaman is healed of his leprosy, yes, but also, he is healed of his singular warrior identity."
  • Commentary, 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c, Sara Koenig, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
    • "Set amidst international politics is a remarkable story about healing, humility, and universalism, which centers around the character of Naaman."
  • Commentary, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Samuel Giere, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
    • "This delightfully pesky story of the healing of Naaman the Aramean by Elisha the prophet of Israel is a story of border-crossings, whereby the Lord works in mysterious ways ? unwelcome by anyone, ancient or modern, who wants the Lord to observe humanity's boundaries, and welcome by those finding themselves at the margins or on the outside."
  • 2 Kings 5:1-14, Pentecost 6, The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
    • "The background to this intriguing story is the history of conflict between Israel and Syria (Aram)."
  • 2 Kings 5:1-14, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series B, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, 2 Kings 5:1-14 / Isaiah 66:10-14, "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "A part of our common work is to receive nursing and to give nursing and to wisely know the difference and the time for each."
  • 2 Kings 5:1-14, Proper 6B, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • 2 Kings 5:1-14, Epiphany 6B, The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Howard Wallace Audrey Schindler, Morag Logan, Paul Tonson, Lorraine Parkinson, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
    • "In the course of this story many expectations, assumptions, ?normal? practices and appropriate behaviours are overturned."
  • Commentary, 2 Kings 5:1-14, W. Dennis Tucker, Jr., Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "The text this week centers on a common theme: the faith of a servant acted out on foreign soil."
  • 2 Kings 5:1-12, Pentecost 6C, Commentary, Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Healing came through simple obedience (Seow: 198)."
  • Join the Feast, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Catherine Devins, Union PSCE, 2009.
    • "God mediates salvation in unexpected ways?through lowly servants and simple acts, and is symbolized in a baptism."
  • "A Nameless Nobody Advises a 'Great Man': The Outsider In, the Insider Out," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey
    • "The insider-outsider dynamic operates at many levels."
  • "Change of Skin, Change of Heart," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
    • "Do we see God's miracles in our lives? Do they change us and give us faith?"
  • "The Healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-19)," by J. Hampton Keathley III at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "The healing of Naaman, the Leper is not just a story of the healing of a man from one of the most dreaded diseases of ancient times, but it is a story of salvation, one which illustrates the spiritual salvation man finds only in Jesus Christ and how men come to find that salvation in Christ."
  • 2 Kings 5:1-14, Proper 14C, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Author Recounts His 'Journey with Leprosy,'" NPR All Things Considered, February 1, 2009.
  • "War in the Old Testament," John A. Wood, (other resources at) "Peace and War," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
    • "How can God be both a God of peace and a God of war? The ancient Israelites reached no consensus about holy war, just war, and pacifism. Yet Scripture faithfully records their long and difficult debates, for the diversity of viewpoints arose out of a deep faith in God who had brought the people out of Egypt."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Barrick, William D., "Living a New Life: Old Testament Teaching about Conversion," Master's Seminary Journal, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Brueggemann, Walter, "2 Kings 5: Two Evangelists and a Saved Subject," Missiology, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Carvalhaes, Claudio, "Unexpected Gestures, Holy at Home," Journal of Family Ministry, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Cohn, Robert L., "Form and Perspective in 2 Kings V," Vetus Testamentum, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Crafton, Barbara, "Miracle Market," The Christian Century, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Effa, Allan L., "Prophet, Kings, Servants and Lepers: A Missiological Reading of an Ancient Drama," Missiology, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Farrington, Debra, "Healed, Not Cured," The Christian Century, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Getui, Mary N., "Wash and Be Clean," Ecumenical Review, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hawkins, Peter S., "Namaan's No-Nonsense Cure," The Christian Century, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kim, Jean Kyoung, "Reading and Retelling Naaman's Story (2 Kings 5)," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Luti, J. Mary, "Muddling Through," The Christian Century, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Menn, Esther M., "A Little Child Shall Lead Them: The Role of the Little Israelite Servant Girl (2 Kings 5:1-19)," Currents in Theology and Mission, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ngan, Lai Ling Elizabeth, "2 Kings 5," Review & Expositor, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Satterthwaite, Philip E., "The Elisha Narratives and the Coherence of 2 Kings 2-8," Tyndale Bulletin, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Schulte, Hannelis, "The End of the Omride Dynasty: Social-Ethical Observations on the Subject of Power and Violence," Semeia, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Smith, W. Alan, "Naaman and Elisha: Healing, Wholeness, and the Task of Religious Education," Religious Education, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Dip into Faith," Christy Lohr Sapp, Duke Divinity Chapel, 2013.
  • "Breathing Space: A Spiritual Journey in the South Bronx," the Rev. Heidi Neumark, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Congregation-Based Community Organizing, 2006.
  • "What the Mighty Might Learn," the Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad, Day 1, 2003.
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Proper 9, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2016.
  • Storypath, Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story, Union Presbyterian Seminary, 2016.
  • "Elisha," "Namaan's Little Maid," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Seven Ducks in Muddy Water (Part 1)," "Seven Ducks in Muddy Water (Part 2)," Barbara Wilmerton Haas, The Children's Chapel.
  • "Elisha Heals Naaman of Leprosy," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "Naaman's Leprosy Is Healed," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
• Drama:
  • "Naaman - Staying Alert to God," Peter & Mary Minson, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Elisha and the General, inclusiveChrist worship clip, 2012.
  • Clip Art, 2 Kings 5:17, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • healing/healers
  • Elisha (includes images of Naaman and Elisha)
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • healing/healers
  • clean/unclean
  • children as mediator figures
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of 2 Kings

• INDEX BY SCRIPTURE
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• NARRATIVE LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• DAILY LECTIONARY RESOURCES
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• FOR USE IN TIMES OF VIOLENCE
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• FOR USE IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTER

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• Maundy Thurs Apr 14
• Good Friday Apr 15
• Easter Day Apr 17
• Easter 2 Apr 24
• Easter 3 May 1
• Easter 4 May 8
• Easter 5 May 15
• Easter 6 May 22
• Ascension May 26
• Easter 7 May 29
• Pentecost June 5
  

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