Chapter Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
S E C O N D K I N G S
CHAP. V.
Two more of Elisha's miracles are recorded in this chapter. I. The cleansing of Naaman, a Syrian, a stranger, from his leprosy, and there, 1. The badness of his case, 2 Kings 5:1 . 2. The providence that brought him to Elisha, the intelligence given him by a captive maid, 2 Kings 5:2 - 4 . A letter from the king of Syria to the king of Israel, to introduce him, 2 Kings 5:5 - 7 . And the invitation Elisha sent him, 2 Kings 5:8 . 3. The method prescribed for his cure, his submission, with much ado, to that method, and his cure thereby, 2 Kings 5:9 - 14 . 4. The grateful acknowledgments he made to Elisha hereupon, 2 Kings 5:15 - 19 . II. The smiting of Gehazi, his own servant, with that leprosy. 1. Gehazi's sins, which were belying his master to Naaman 2 Kings 5:20 - 24 ), and lying to his master when he examined him, 2 Kings 5:25 . 2. His punishment for these sins. Naaman's leprosy was entailed on his family, 2 Kings 5:26 ; 2 Kings 5:27 . And, if Naaman's cure was typical of the calling of the Gentiles, as our Saviour seems to make it Luke 4:27 ), Gehazi's stroke may be looked upon as typical of the blinding and rejecting of the Jews, who envied God's grace to the Gentiles, as Gehazi envied Elisha's favour to Naaman.
Book Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND BOOK OF
K I N G S.
This second book of the Kings (which the LXX., numbering from Samuel, called the fourth ) is a continuation of the former book; and, some think, might better have been made to begin with the 1 Kings 22:51 - 53 , where the reign of Ahaziah begins. The former book had an illustrious beginning, in the glories of the kingdom of Israel, when it was entire; this has a melancholy conclusion, in the desolations of the kingdoms of Israel first, and then of Judah, after they had been long broken into two: for a kingdom divided against itself cometh to destruction. But, as Elijah's mighty works were very much the glory of the former book, towards the latter end of it, so were Elisha's the glory of this, towards the beginning of it. These prophets out-shone their princes; and therefore, as far as they go, the history shall be accounted for in them. Here is, I. Elijah fetching fire from heaven and ascending in fire to heaven, 2 Kings 1:1 - 22 Kings 1:1 - 2 II. Elisha working many miracles, both for prince and people, Israelites and foreigners, 2 Kings 3:1 - 72 Kings 3:1 - 7 III. Hazael and Jehu anointed, the former for the correction of Israel, the latter for the destruction of the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal, 2 Kings 8:1 - 102 Kings 8:1 - 10 IV. The reign of several of the kings, both of Judah and Israel, 2 Kings 11:1 - 162 Kings 11:1 - 16 V. The captivity of the ten tribes, 2 Kings 17:1 - 412 Kings 17:1 - 41 VI. The good and glorious reign of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18:1 - 202 Kings 18:1 - 20 VII. Manassah's wicked reign, and Josiah's good one, 2 Kings 21:1 - 232 Kings 21:1 - 23 VIII. The destruction of Jerusalem by the king of Babylon, 2 Kings 24:1 - 252 Kings 24:1 - 25 This history, in the several passages of it, confirms that observation of Solomon, That righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is the reproach of any people.
