Gehazi Struck with Leprosy

Naaman went home cleansed of leprosy. Elisha's servant Gehazi chased after him for silver - and came home carrying Naaman's leprosy instead.

After Naaman the Syrian was healed of leprosy, Elisha refused any payment. His servant Gehazi, thinking his master had let Naaman off too easily, ran after the chariot and invented a story that two young men of the sons of the prophets needed silver and clothing. Naaman gladly gave him two talents of silver and two changes of garments, which Gehazi hid in the house. When Elisha asked where he had been, Gehazi lied. The prophet answered that his heart had gone with him and asked, 'Is it a time to receive money?' The leprosy of Naaman clung to Gehazi, and he went out a leper as white as snow.

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Details

Category: Judgment
Testament: Old Testament
Performed by: God through Elisha

Key Chapters

2 Kings 5 Naaman Healed of Leprosy 6 min read Gehazi's greed and lies turn a story of grace into a sober warning that God sees...

Key Passages

Is It a Time to Receive Money?

2 Kings 5:20-27

Gehazi's greed and lies turn a story of grace into a sober warning that God sees the heart and will not be mocked.

B²⁰ut Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

²¹ So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? ²² And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. ²³ And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. ²⁴ And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. ²⁵ But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. ²⁶ And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? ²⁷ The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.