Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 5
At last, Naaman agreed to do what God had told him to do by means of Elisha. Naaman would no longer proudly insist on his own importance. Although he had felt ashamed to do it, Naaman would bathe in the river Jordan. So, Naaman understood that he must obey God.
Elisha had told Naaman to bathe seven times. In the Bible, the number seven often describes something that is complete or perfect. For example, there are seven days in the week, and the seventh day belongs to God as a special day (Genesis 2:2-3). So, Naaman had to obey God completely. To do that, he would have to trust God completely. He would not be well after he had bathed for five or six times. God would only cure him when he had bathed seven times. Naaman needed to understand that he could not come to God in his (Naaman’s) proud attitudes. Instead, he must come to God with simple attitudes of trust in God, even as a child obeys his parents (Psalm 131:1-2).
So Naaman did that. He went to the river Jordan, and there he bathed seven times. When he did that, God cured him. His illness had caused his skin to become white like snow, or like the pale skin of a dead person (5:27). Now, however, his skin returned to a healthy colour. In fact, his skin was in an even better state than before his illness. It was as good as the skin of a young boy. So it was very clear to Naaman that God had made a wonderful change in his life.
Next part: Naaman declares that Israel's God is the only God (2 Kings 5:15)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 1000+ page course book.
© 2025, Keith Simons.