Single lesson
Gehazi's Greedy Choice
2 Kings 5:15–27
After Naaman was healed, Elisha’s servant Gehazi made a secret choice that brought judgement instead of honour.
Before you teach
Naaman returned to the man of God with all his company. He stood before Elisha and said he now knew there was no God in all the earth except in Israel. He asked Elisha to accept a gift, but Elisha refused, even when Naaman kept urging him. Then Naaman asked for two mules’ load of earth. He said he would no longer offer sacrifices to other gods, but to the Lord. He also asked for pardon about going with his master into the house of Rimmon. Elisha told him to…
Describe the central teaching of Gehazi's Greedy Choice, using two details from the reading. After Naaman was healed, Elisha’s servant Gehazi made a secret choice that brought judgement instead of honour.
Welcome: Gehazi's Greedy Choice
4 minIntroduce “Gehazi's Greedy Choice” and locate 2 Kings 5:15–27. After Naaman was healed, Elisha’s servant Gehazi made a secret choice that brought judgement instead of honour. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
2 Kings 5:15, 2 Kings 5:21, 2 Kings 5:27
Read and explain the passage
8 minNaaman returned to the man of God with all his company. He stood before Elisha and said he now knew there was no God in all the earth except in Israel. He asked Elisha to accept a gift, but Elisha refused, even when Naaman kept urging him.
Gehazi said all was well, but he told a lie. He claimed Elisha had sent him to ask for one talent of silver and two changes of clothing for two young men from the sons of the prophets. Naaman urged him to take two talents, packed the silver in two bags with two changes of clothing, and sent two servants to carry them before Gehazi.
Elisha told Gehazi that he knew what had happened when Naaman turned from his chariot to meet him. He said this was not a time to receive money, clothes, and other riches. Then Elisha declared that Naaman’s skin disease would cling to Gehazi and to his offspring forever. Gehazi left Elisha’s presence diseased, white as snow.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Gehazi's Greedy Choice”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
2 Kings 5:15, 2 Kings 5:20, 2 Kings 5:25, 2 Kings 5:22, 2 Kings 5:23, 2 Kings 5:21, 2 Kings 5:26, 2 Kings 5:27
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with ““Then Naaman asked for two mules’ load of earth.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. After Naaman was healed, Elisha’s servant Gehazi made a secret choice that brought judgement instead of honour. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
2 Kings 5:17, 2 Kings 5:18, 2 Kings 5:20, 2 Kings 5:22, 2 Kings 5:23, 2 Kings 5:21, 2 Kings 5:26, 2 Kings 5:27
Make and respond: Story sequence booklet
9 minWork on “Gehazi's Greedy Choice: Story sequence booklet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Gehazi's Greedy Choice” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
2 Kings 5:15, 2 Kings 5:21, 2 Kings 5:27
Closing: return to Gehazi's Greedy Choice
3 minRevisit 2 Kings 5:15–27. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Gehazi's Greedy Choice and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
2 Kings 5:15, 2 Kings 5:21, 2 Kings 5:27
Questions to explore
“Then Naaman asked for two mules’ load of earth.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?
Then Naaman asked for two mules’ load of earth. He said he would no longer offer sacrifices to other gods, but to the Lord. He also asked for pardon about going with his master into the house of Rimmon. Elisha told him to go in peace, and Naaman left.
2 Kings 5:17, 2 Kings 5:18, 2 Kings 5:20
How does this moment affect the rest of the account: “Gehazi said all was well, but he told a lie.”?
Gehazi said all was well, but he told a lie. He claimed Elisha had sent him to ask for one talent of silver and two changes of clothing for two young men from the sons of the prophets. Naaman urged him to take two talents, packed the silver in two bags with two changes of clothing, and sent two servants to carry them before Gehazi.
2 Kings 5:22, 2 Kings 5:23, 2 Kings 5:21
“Elisha told Gehazi that he knew what had happened when Naaman turned from his chariot to meet him.” How does this ending connect with the beginning?
Elisha told Gehazi that he knew what had happened when Naaman turned from his chariot to meet him. He said this was not a time to receive money, clothes, and other riches. Then Elisha declared that Naaman’s skin disease would cling to Gehazi and to his offspring forever. Gehazi left Elisha’s presence diseased, white as snow.
2 Kings 5:26, 2 Kings 5:27, 2 Kings 5:21
Make, think or respond
Gehazi's Greedy Choice: Story sequence booklet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “Beginning”, “What changes?”, “How it ends”.
- Read 2 Kings 5:15–27. Use “Gehazi's Greedy Choice” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Retell the account using your three panels, checking the order against the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Gehazi's Greedy Choice connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use Gehazi's Greedy Choice as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between Gehazi's Greedy Choice and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read 2 Kings 5:15–27. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
2 Kings 5
15 He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, “See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.”
16 But he said, “As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” He urged him to take it; but he refused.
17 Naaman said, “If not, then, please let two mules’ load of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will from now on offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to Yahweh.
18 In this thing may Yahweh pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon. When I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may Yahweh pardon your servant in this thing.”
19 He said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a little way.
20 But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.”
21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?”
22 He said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Behold, even now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’ ”
23 Naaman said, “Be pleased to take two talents.” He urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants; and they carried them before him.
24 When he came to the hill, he took them from their hand, and stored them in the house. Then he let the men go, and they departed.
25 But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you come from, Gehazi?” He said, “Your servant went nowhere.”
26 He said to him, “Didn’t my heart go with you when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive groves and vineyards, and sheep and cattle, and male servants and female servants?
27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your offspring forever.” He went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.