Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-04-20
@eadiug fur the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
COhginal.1
NAAMAN..u Kings 5.

HENs
NAAMAN..H Kings s.
All the events which transpire in the life Of
each member of the human family, are so
many links in the chain of divine providence.
An arrow sped through the air by a bow drawn
at venture, is guided by an unseen hand.
Good is brought out of evil and light out of
darkness. God reigns over little things as
we'll as great things. His purposes are of old,
and despite the efforts of wicked men and de,
mons they will all be accomplished.
A marauding party Of the King Of Syria
enter the dominions of the King of Israel. A
little girl is part of the captured booty. She
is stolen away from her home, from her kim
dred and neighbors. The act was cruel, but
in perfect accordance with the civilization Of
the tribes by which the Israelites were sur.
rounded. The little girl was taken to Syria
and there became the chambermaid Of the
wife of Naaman. This man Naaman was
dear friend of the King of Syria. Benhadad,
probably, was the King of Syria at that time,
and Jehoram the King of Israel. Of this,
however, we are not informed. Neither the
King of Israel nor the King of Syria are
named.
Naaman is said to have been great man,
an honorable man, and man of valor. He
had all the qualifications Of great military
chieftain. By his valorous deeds he had in
gratiated himself into the favor Of his king.
The king of Syria, whatever was his name,
honored Naaman because by him the Lord
had given deliverance to the country. This
language is very peculiar. It suggests the
idea that Naaman had overthrown the power
of one who was not only the enemy Of Syria,
but also of God. There is a tradition among
the Jews, as old as the days of Josephus, that
Naaman was the certain man who drew a
bow at venture and smote Ahab, the King
of Israel, between the joints of the harness
and mortaly wounded that wicked king who
made Israel to sin. This is only tradition i;
but the language used in describing Naaman
seems to favor the opinion and render it
worthy or credence
Great and honorable as was Naaman, there
was one thing that marred all his enjoyment
Haman could not be happy so long as Morde-
cal was at the kings gate. No earthly con-
dition in which we can be placed is capable
of rendering us perfectly happy. Naaman's
strength was that of giant. His form was
symmetrical, his mental powers were well
balanced, and his will was indomitable; but
he was leper A loathsome and incurable
disease had taken hold upon him. The pres
ent was sad and the future gloomy. The
obedience rendered him by his countrymen,
and the favors shown him by his king, never
could make him forget the fact that he was a
leper. The affliction of the husband and
master filled the minds of the wife and SER
wants with grief: The little Israelitish maid
servant was grieved for her master. In the
tender sympathy of her heart she said to her
mistress: "Would God my lord were with
the prophet that is in Samaria; for he would
recover him of his leprosy." The intimation
that it was possible for Naaman to be cured
of his disease was communicated to the King
of Syria. Preparation was Immediately made
for sending Naaman to the land of Israel. A
letter was written to the King of Israel and
present consisting of ten talents Of silver
and six thousand pieces Of gold and ten
changes of raiment were sent to him. No
one but king could have made such pres
ent, and nothing can give us better estimate
of the love which the King of Syria had for
Naaman. The silver talent was worth about
seventeen hundred and fifty dollars of our
money. This multiplied by ten will make
seventeen thousand and five hundred dollars.
If we regard the pieces Of gold to have been
shekels, then, since gold shekel was worth
about nine dollars, the six thousand pieces Of
gold, supposing them to have been shekels,
were worth fifty-four thousand dollars. Add
this to the value of the talents of silver, and
we have the princely sum of seventy-one
thousand FIVE hundred dollars. No estimate
can be made of the value of the changes of
raiment.
Thus amply provided with presents, Naa-
man set out for Samaria On arriving, he
went to the King and delivered the letter of
the King Of Syria. What the contents of the
letter were we can only learn from the actions
of the King of Israel. Having read the let
ter the King of Israel rent his clothes and
exclaimed: cam God, to kill and make
alive?" Evidently the King Of Syria asked
the King of Israel to heal Naaman of his lep-
rosy. The King of Israel, whoever he was,
felt that he was asked to do what no man
could do, and hence his conclusion was that
the King of Syria was seeking quarrel with
him.
The prophet Elisha, when be heard of the
distress of the King of Israel, sent him word
to direct Naaman to come to him and he
would show him that there was prophet in
Israel. This, no doubt, was joyful news to
both Naaman and the King of Israel. When
| Naaman came to the house Of Elisha the
prophet he did not 90 out to meet him, but
sent some one out to him with the instruction
that he should go and wash in Jordan seven
times and be healed of his leprosy. This was
mortifying to the Syrian captain. He de-
spised Jordan and felt that the prophet had
treated him with contempt. care not Abna
and Pharpar rivers Of Damascus better than
all the waters of Israel ?" he said. Naaman
expected the prophet to come out and make
great ado over him. At last, persuaded by
his servants, he did 60 and wash in Jordan
and was healed.
In this conduct of Naaman we may learn
precious lesson. Sinners are told to 60 and