The Little Captive Maid

Naaman was a great general in the army of the King of Syria. The king esteemed him highly because it was Naaman who led the Syrians when God gave them victory over the Israelites. But despite his bravery and high position, Naaman was miserable because he suffered from a terrible disease called leprosy.

Among the captives the Syrians had brought back from war was a little Israelite maiden who was appointed to wait on Naaman's wife. She had heard of the wonderful things Elisha did in the name of God. She told her mistress that if Naaman could only see this prophet in Samaria, he could be cured. The king was told what the maid had said, and he sent a letter to the King of Israel commanding him to cure Naaman.

But the King of Israel was afraid and thought the King of Syria sought a reason to quarrel with him. When Elisha heard of the king's fear, he sent word for Naaman to be brought to him. So Naaman came in his chariot and stood at Elisha's door. Instead of coming out, the prophet sent a message directing Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times, and then his leprous flesh would be restored.

Naaman had expected Elisha to receive him with ceremony and touch him, bidding the leprosy to leave. He was angry and said, "Are not the rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean?" Then he went away in a rage. But his servants persuaded him to obey the prophet's instructions. So Naaman went and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, and his flesh was made whole like that of a little child.