Gehazi’s Curse

This historical Bible account begins with a great and honorable man named Naaman.

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. – 2 Kings 5:1 KJV

Unfortunately, he had leprosy and Elisha heard about it because Naaman’s wife remarked outloud that Naaman could be healed if there was a prophet in the land. So, Elisha found Naaman and sent word to him about how he could get healed.

And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, “Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.” – 2 Kings 5:10 KJV

However, Naaman was looking for something more miraculous.

But Naaman was wroth, 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 strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.” – 2 Kings 5:11 KJV

Eventually, Naaman decided to believe him because after all, what did he have to lose because he had leprosy.

[14] Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. [15] And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, “Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.” – 2 Kings 5:14-15 KJV

Now that Naaman saw that Elisha was right, he offered him a blessing, but Elisha would not accept it. Then, he sent Naaman on his way in peace. However, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, overheard and he decided in his head to take the blessing for himself.

[20] But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.” – 2 Kings 5:20 KJV

[21] So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?” [22] And he said, “All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, ‘Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.’” 2 Kings 5:21-22 KJV

Therefore, Gehazi told Naaman that his master sent him to retrieve two young men and give them silver and clothes. Naaman took two of his servants and gave them more that Gehazi requested and sent them with Gehazi.

And Naaman said, “Be content, take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. – 2 Kings 5:23 KJV

Then, when Gehazi returned to the tower, he took from the two servants and sent them away.

And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. – 2 Kings 5:24 KJV

Now, we see that Gehazi lied and stole. Yet, somehow he believes that his master, the Prophet Elisha, doesn’t know about it.

Upon returning to his master, Gehazi is confronted

[25] But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, “Whence comest thou, Gehazi?” And he said, “Thy servant went no whither.” [26] And he said unto him, “Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?” 2 Kings 5:25-26 KJV

Can you imagine what Gehazi might have felt at this moment?

The Prophet Elisha continues,

“The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever.” And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. – 2 Kings 5:27 KJV

This is a very sad story about a covetous, lying man who plotted to try to gain for himself and lied to a man of God.