Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-12-10
&eaaiuq fur the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED By
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
NAAMAN THE SYRIAN.

REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
(originall
NAAMAN THE SYRIAN.
1t is little that is known of this individual.
His name, so far as we remember, occurs
only in the fifth chapter of Second Kings
and in the fourth chapter of the gospel by
Luke. The fifth chapter of Second Kings,
which contains all that we certainly know
about Naaman, is kind Of historical cpl
sode. The sacred historian digressed from
his theme to narrate most remarkable oc-
currence in the life of the prophet Elisha.
The Jews have tradition which makes
Naaman, the Syrian, the individual who
"drew bow at q venture, and smote the
King of Israel (Ahab) between the joints
of the harness." SO that he died. This rests
on no better authority than a very old tra-
dition, but the language of the Scripture IN
which Naaman's name first occurs, seems to
favor its truthfulness. We are told that
"Naaman was captain of the hosts of the
King of Syria, (or properly Aram), that he
was a great man with his master, and hon.
orable.' The reason given for his being a
great man in the eyes of his master, proba-
bly, Benhadad, is "because by him Jehovah
had given deliverance unto Syria" This
language implies that Naaman had killed
some one who was an enemy of Jehovah as
well as the King of Syria. The only fact in
the personal history of Naaman which is
recorded is that he was leper. This is in
troductory to another fact. y marauding,
or plundering band of Syrians had invaded
a part of the land of Israel, and brought
away, as captive, a "little maid" This
was by no means an unusual occurrence.
1t was common for those plundering bands
to invade the territory of their nelghbors,
drive away cattle and capture those OF the
inhabitants whom they thought would
make good slaves.
The little maid captured on this eXpedi,,
ton, by some means, we are not Informed
what, became the slave of Naaman's wife.
Very little is said about this little maid.
The whole is contained in less than thirty
short words. We may safely infer a great
deal about this little maid. She had been
we'll raised. She had been brought up in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
This is inferred, from the fact that she not
only knew Elisha, but she believed he could,
as the prophet of the Lord, recover Naa-
man of his leprosy. Although a slave, far
away from her native land, she was anxious
that her master be healed of his loathsome
disease. "Would God," she said to her mis-
tress, "my lord were with the prophet that
is in Samaria for he would recover him OF
his sleprosy." This language was prompted
by a heart whose prevailing characteristic
was piety. This was not all. The language
of the little slave made a deep impression
on even the King of Syria. He believed
her, and prepared to send Naaman to Sama'
ria, and actually did send him.
Just at this point in the history of Naa-
man, a series of facts took place, which are
intensely interesting and full of instruction
The King of Syria, Benhadad, or whatever
was his name, made ample provisions for
Naaman's journey to Samaria. The king
gave him letter ofintroduction to the King
of Israel, and also stated in the letter for
what purpose Naaman was sent. In addi-
ton to this, Naaman took with him ten tai
ents of silver, and six thousand pieces OF
gold, and ten changes of raiment. Wheth-
er this money and changes of raiment were
furnished by the king or by Naaman HIM
self, is not stated. We cannot even approx
innate the value of the ten changes of raj
ment, but the ten talents of silver and six
thousand pieces of gold (probably shekels OF
gold) amounted to more than seventy thou
sand dollars. The whole, designed as a
blessing or reward for his recovery from his
leprosy, amounted to perhaps the enormous
sum of one hundred thousand dollars. This
was indicative of either great liberality or
extravagant display. Perhaps it indicated
both. The journey to Samaria was attend
ed with great pomp and display. Naaman
had his horses and his chariot and no doubt
a numerous retinue of richly dressed SER
wants.
Here began series Of grave blunders in
the conduct of Naaman, which are very in
structive. But it is worthy of notice that
although Naaman was leper he was mis-
erably proud man. His disease made him
loathsome, still he was fond of pomp and
display. How like men universally. They
are the subjects of n spiritual leprosy, which
renders them morally loathsome, but they,
like Naaman, the Syrian, are fond of dis
play.
The little maid directed Naaman to 60 to
the prophet of the Lord, but he went to the
King of Israel, whose name is not men
toned, probably it was JehOram. No mat
ter who was King of Israel, he was unable
to ''recover man of his leprosy," and con-
fessed the fact. Why Naaman went to the
king and not to the prophet, we need not
inquire. Perhaps he was desirous of max
ing great display of his chariot and hor-
ses, of his ten talents of silver and six thou
sand pieces of gold, and his ten changes of
raiment. No doubt he had some selfish end
Ill view. LSpCl hS "eto, nv .'eAAA
was proud. It requires but little imagina-
ton to see the long train accompanying the
chariot in which was seated miserable
creature, his skin covered with whitish
scales, entering the city in which was the
palace of the King of Israel. With what
gaudy display the retinue move on to the
front of the palace, and with what pOmp the
letter of the King of Syria is presented.
The poor afflicted, but proud leper soon dis
covers his mistake. He has gone to the
wrong place. The King of Israel is fright
ened, and as sign Of distress rends his gar
ments.
What life-like picture is this of men
spiritually. The word Of God-the Bible
and the living ministry, and the provi-
dences of God point them to the Lamb of
God who takes away the sin of the world.
They are hidden to 60 to him as humble
sinners, with broken and contrite hearts,
and be saved, but instead of obeying they
get up a huge cayalcade of denominations
and 60 some place else to be healed.
The prophet Elisha heard of the distress
of the King of Israel, and sent him word to
send Naaman to him, "and he shall know
that there is prophet in Israeli" No
doubt Naaman had become disgusted and
perhaps declared that there was no prophet
in Israel. How long Naaman remained
with the King of Israel we do not know,
but after the king received the message
from Elisha, Naaman set out to go to the
prophet. We do not know where Elisha
was at that time. His usual place of abode
was Mount Carmel, but at this time, he was
probably at Jericho. Nomatter where he
was, Naaman "came with his horses and
his chariot and stood before the door of the
house of Elisha" You can almost see the
scaly leper as he views, with the frown of
contempt, the humble dwelling of the man
of God.