Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 5
During Ahab’s life, Aram (also called Syria) had twice tried but failed to gain control over northern and central Israel (1 Kings chapter 20). On both of those occasions, Aram had tried to attack Israel with a vast army. Aram won a later battle in which Ahab died – but that battle was only for the control of one city, Ramoth-Gilead (1 Kings 22:29-36).
Naaman used a very different method to gain control over Israel after Ahab’s death. Naaman did not send a large army to fight against Israel’s army. Instead, he sent small groups of soldiers, who only remained in Israel for a short time. They entered a town or village, and demanded the payment of taxes to Aram’s king (2 Kings 5:2; compare 2 Kings 6:23). If people could not pay, the soldiers took prisoners. Those prisoners would become slaves when the soldiers brought them back to Aram.
Naaman’s wife had a young maid who was one of the slaves from Israel. This maid was responsible and careful, and she genuinely cared about Naaman and his family.
When she lived in Israel, this maid had heard about Elisha. She knew about how powerfully God was working in Elisha’s life. She believed that Elisha would be able to cure Naaman’s illness by the power of God. She convinced Naaman’s wife to speak to Naaman about Elisha. Naaman listened, and the maid’s report gave him hope. He decided to ask the king of Aram to allow him to visit Elisha.
Next part: Naaman takes gifts, and a letter from his king (2 Kings 5:4-6)
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