# Day 144

# Elisha Cures a Great Leper

2 Kings 5:1–27

The great leader of Syria’s army was named Naaman. He had a terrible skin disease called leprosy. An Israelite girl was Naaman’s slave. “Elisha could cure my master,” she said.

Soon, Naaman traveled to Elisha’s house in Samaria. He sent his servant, Gehazi, to meet Naaman. “Elisha says, ‘Wash in the Jordan River seven times. Your skin will become pure.’ ”

“Why didn’t Elisha come out?” Naaman complained. He went away in a rage.

Naaman’s servants said, “Master, suppose the prophet had said to do something difficult. Wouldn’t you have done it? All Elisha said was, ‘Wash, and be clean. Why not do it?’ ”

So Naaman went to the river and bathed. His skin became like a young boy’s. Then he returned to the prophet. “I know there is a God in Israel,” he said. “Take this gift for what you’ve done.” Elisha refused the gift.

As the caravan left, Gehazi followed. “Elisha needs the gift now,” he lied, taking the gold. But Elisha knew, and Gehazi went away white with leprosy.

Questions: What cured Naaman’s leprosy? Why did Gehazi get leprosy?