2 Kings 5: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 2 Kings 5 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Naaman, a great commander of the Syrian army, suffered from leprosy (vv. 1-2). A captive girl from Israel mentioned a prophet in Samaria who could heal him (v.

Key verse

“Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”
2 Kings 5:14 (WEB)

Outline

2 Kings 5:1–3 Naaman's Affliction and the Young Girl's Insight
2 Kings 5:4–8 The King's Confusion and Elisha's Intervention
2 Kings 5:9–14 Elisha's Instructions and Naaman's Initial Rejection
2 Kings 5:15–19 Naaman's Healing and Recognition of God
2 Kings 5:20–24 Gehazi's Greed and Deception
2 Kings 5:25–27 Elisha Discovers Gehazi's Wrongdoing

Discussion questions

In v5, what gifts does Naaman take with him to the king of Israel?
What does Naaman do in v14 to be cleansed from his leprosy?
Elisha's refusal to accept gifts in v16: what does this suggest about the nature of God’s grace?
Gehazi’s actions in vv. 20-24: what tension does his greed create with Elisha’s ministry?
When has a simple act, like Naaman washing in the Jordan, felt challenging for you?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 2 Kings 5: 2 Kings 6, Luke 5, Luke 4.

Before next time: read 2 Kings 6.