Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army was sick. Leprosy turned him into an outcast and social pariah. However (don't you love that word in the Bible?), in his household was a captured Israeli girl who informed her mistress that the prophet in Israel would heal the master of the house. Naaman departs, is instructed to wash in the Jordan River seven times and go home. Appalled at this, Naaman almost leaves until another servant convinces him to follow the prophet's orders. As God would have it, the washing completely removed the leprosy from Naaman. Although the prophet refused payment, his servant greedily tried to profit from the commander. He received silver, changes of garments, and - oh yes - the leprosy of Naaman. Greed also brings more than is expected.
Elisha continues ministering throughout the land, assisting miraculously as a sign that God has not forsaken those who fear Him. Elisha even works to assist the Israeli army through spectacular means - leading blind armies through the land, calming the city of Samaria during a siege and subsequent famine, and restoring the land to a family that had abandoned it during the famine. Elisha also foretold the death of the Syrian king Ben-Hadad and the subsequent coup of Hazael in that land. While all these events were taking place, Jehoshaphat, Joram and Ahaziah were ruling in the land of Judah.
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