2 Kings 5
1 Chronicles 5 records the genealogy and historical events of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh among the twelve tribes of Israel. This chapter does not merely list genealogies; it also covers the major events these tribes experienced while living east of the Jordan (on the east side of the Jordan River) along with the spiritual lessons to be learned from them.
1verseNow Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria; he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.
2verseThe Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little girl, and she waited on Naaman’s wife.
3verseShe said to her mistress, “I wish that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.”
4verseSomeone went in and told his lord, saying, “The girl who is from the land of Israel said this.”
5verseThe king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” He departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing.
6verseHe brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, “Now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.”
7verseWhen the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal a man of his leprosy? But please consider and see how he seeks a quarrel against me.”
8verseIt was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
9verseSo Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
10verseElisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.”
11verseBut Naaman was angry, and went away and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leper.’
12verseAren’t Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.
13verseHis servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”
14verseThen 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.
15verseHe 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.”
16verseBut he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” He urged him to take it; but he refused.
17verseNaaman 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 the LORD.
18verseIn this thing may the LORD 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 the LORD pardon your servant in this thing.”
19verseHe said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a little way.
20verseBut 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 the LORD lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.”
21verseSo 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?”
22verseHe 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.’”
23verseNaaman 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.
24verseWhen 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.
25verseBut he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you come from, Gehazi?” He said, “Your servant went nowhere.”
26verseHe 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?
27verseTherefore 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.
Genealogy and Background of the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the Half-Tribe of Manasseh
- The Tribe of Reuben: although he was the firstborn, he lost the right of the firstborn because he was guilty of dishonoring his father Jacob’s bed, and that right passed to Joseph. Still, the genealogy of the tribe of Reuben and the names of its leaders are introduced.
- The Tribe of Gad: a tribe that lived on the east side of the Jordan, with its genealogy, leaders in various places, and their roles laid out.
- The Half-Tribe of Manasseh: the genealogy and history of the half-tribe that lived on the east side of the Jordan River, not all of Manasseh, are recorded.
The Activities and Wars of the East-Jordan Tribes of Israel
In this chapter, the background of how the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh came to live on the east side of the Jordan River, and their major activities, are mentioned. They had strong military power and fought against foreign peoples such as the Hagrites, and it is especially emphasized that they were able to win in battle because they relied on God and sought Him in prayer. However, afterward, when they betrayed God, they experienced judgment by being taken captive to Assyria.
Spiritual Meaning and the Overall Message
1 Chronicles 5 shows a theme beyond a mere record of lineage: faithfulness to God and the consequences of disobedience. When they rely on God, they experience victory, but when they disobey, suffering and judgment follow—this point is made clear. It helps you reflect across the ages on the identity and boundaries of the faith community and the importance of obedience.
Meditation Point
- Think back to the moments in your life when you relied on God completely and the moments when you did not.
- Through the stories in 1 Chronicles 5, you can examine yourself by considering how the results differed between obeying and disobeying God’s will, and between maintaining faith and not.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Let’s check whether you are relying on God as you make important decisions each day.
- As you think about the blessings that come from a life of obedience and trust, and about the results that carelessness or disobedience can bring, write down what you will put into practice concretely in your life today.
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