Men's Ministry
Please read II Kings 5:1-14
1. In the very first verse we’re introduced to Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Syria. (Syria, also known as Aram, is east of the Jordan River and Israel. Immediately south of Aram is Ammon, descendants of Lot.) It plainly says that the Lord had given Aram (Syria) victory. Since this is a pagan nation, how do you explain this?
2. In the second verse we’re introduced to a young servant girl, who was carried away from her home and family in Israel and was placed in Naaman’s house to serve his wife. How do you explain God’s actions in allowing a young girl – who apparently believed in YHWH – to be ripped from her family for slavery in a nation hostile to Israel?
3. The girl tells her mistress about Elisha, who tells her husband about Elisha, who tells the king about Elisha. Yet, the king drafts a message to the king of Israel (Jehoram), not Elisha. Why?
4. What is King Jehoram’s response to the letter from the king of Aram? Why would he respond this way? There are clues in II Kings 3:1-3 and 13-14.
5. Why did Jehoram tear his clothes? And, Since Elisha was not there, how did he hear about Jehoram tearing his clothes (verse 8)?
6. Two things happen when Naaman goes to Elisha: 1) Elisha sends a messenger to intercept Naaman. 2) Elisha (through his messenger) tells Naaman to wash in the Jordan River. What is Naaman’s response? Why?
2. In the second verse we’re introduced to a young servant girl, who was carried away from her home and family in Israel and was placed in Naaman’s house to serve his wife. How do you explain God’s actions in allowing a young girl – who apparently believed in YHWH – to be ripped from her family for slavery in a nation hostile to Israel?
3. The girl tells her mistress about Elisha, who tells her husband about Elisha, who tells the king about Elisha. Yet, the king drafts a message to the king of Israel (Jehoram), not Elisha. Why?
4. What is King Jehoram’s response to the letter from the king of Aram? Why would he respond this way? There are clues in II Kings 3:1-3 and 13-14.
5. Why did Jehoram tear his clothes? And, Since Elisha was not there, how did he hear about Jehoram tearing his clothes (verse 8)?
6. Two things happen when Naaman goes to Elisha: 1) Elisha sends a messenger to intercept Naaman. 2) Elisha (through his messenger) tells Naaman to wash in the Jordan River. What is Naaman’s response? Why?
7. We've had discussions about the significance of numbers in the Bible. What is the significance of the number 7? Why do you think Elisha told Naaman to was in the Jordan River seven times? Is this a magic number? Is the number 7 being used in a figurative way?
8. What do Naaman’s servants say to convince him to follow Elisha’s instructions? Why do you think their argument convinced Naaman?
Please read II Kings 5:15-27
11. What did Naaman learn from his healing? Base your answer on verse 15.
12. Why did Elisha refuse Naaman’s gifts?
13. Why did Naaman want two mule-loads of Israeli dirt?
14. Naaman then asked Elisha to forgive him when he goes into the temple of Rimmon as the king of Aram’s right-hand man. What is Elisha’s response? What would your response have been?
15. Why did Gehazi run after Naaman to get some of the reward that Elisha refused? What part did he play in Naaman’s healing?
16. Note that the loot Gehazi got was two talents of silver (although he only asked for one) and two changes of clothing. To our way of thinking, two talents (about 150 pounds) of silver is very valuable. Why also ask for two changes of clothing (other than to support his lie about two sons of the prophets coming)?
17. Did Gehazi know that he was doing something wrong? How can you tell? (See verse 24.)
18. God knows everything, of course, and this may be how Elisha knew about Gehazi’s quest. Why was his quest considered sin? How is the sentence of leprosy an appropriate penalty for his sin? Why was it appropriate to predict that his descendants would also be leprous?
19. Who are the heroes in this story?
12. Why did Elisha refuse Naaman’s gifts?
13. Why did Naaman want two mule-loads of Israeli dirt?
14. Naaman then asked Elisha to forgive him when he goes into the temple of Rimmon as the king of Aram’s right-hand man. What is Elisha’s response? What would your response have been?
15. Why did Gehazi run after Naaman to get some of the reward that Elisha refused? What part did he play in Naaman’s healing?
16. Note that the loot Gehazi got was two talents of silver (although he only asked for one) and two changes of clothing. To our way of thinking, two talents (about 150 pounds) of silver is very valuable. Why also ask for two changes of clothing (other than to support his lie about two sons of the prophets coming)?
17. Did Gehazi know that he was doing something wrong? How can you tell? (See verse 24.)
18. God knows everything, of course, and this may be how Elisha knew about Gehazi’s quest. Why was his quest considered sin? How is the sentence of leprosy an appropriate penalty for his sin? Why was it appropriate to predict that his descendants would also be leprous?
19. Who are the heroes in this story?