Gehazi's Greedy Choice

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 go in peace, and Naaman left.

After Naaman had gone a little way, Gehazi decided to run after him. He thought his master had let Naaman go without taking what he had brought. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he came down from his chariot to meet Gehazi and asked whether all was well.

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.

When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the gifts from the servants and stored them in the house. Then he sent the men away. After that he went in and stood before Elisha. When Elisha asked where he had come from, Gehazi lied again and said he had gone nowhere.

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.