The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-08-18
nAAMAN HEALED.
Sunday school Lesson In the Inter-
national Series for August n,
1852 Kings, S,1-14.


sunday school Lesson In the Inter-
national Series for August n,
1852 Kings. 5,1-14.
BIASED upon Peloubet's Select Notes.l
GOLDEN TEXT.-IIeal me, o Lord, and
I shall be healed; save me, and shall be
saved.-Jer. 17:A
THE SECTION includes the story Of the
healing of Naaman and the sin Of Gehazi
in connection with 1t e Kings, 5:1-T)
TIME.-B. c. sso-ss4 common chron.). or
sS2-s45 trevised z,ssUH shrSHl MOTIFS
/. The Sad Case of the Damascus
Generally. 1. "Now Naaman (beauti-
full or pleasant to look upon), captain
Of the host:" The commanderin-chi
of the Syrian army. "Of the king of
Syria:" Benhadad H., WAS a great
man with his master:" He had great
talents, a strong personality; he had
done much for the king, and was there
fore very highly esteemed. by him
the Lord had given deliverance unto
Syria:" Probably from Assyria, by
means of Israel, whose forces had
united with the Syrians against the
common enemy. Hence it is said that
Jehovah had given the deliverance.
"But he was leper:" For leprosy
there was no cure in Syria; but there
was a prophet in Israel, and he could
do for this general all that was needed.
II. A Little Girl Shows the Way to
Healing.-Vs. "a. 2. "The Syrians had
gone out by companies" A part of
the misery inflicted by the Syrians on
Israel was caused by the forays in
which their light-armed bands de-
scended upon the country and carried
off plunder and captives before they
could be pursued.
3. "And she said unto her mistress,
Would God my lord were with the
prophet that is in Samaria:" This
young girl must have often heard of
the miracles of healing performed by
Elisha, and of his readiness to help
those in distress.
Wrong Man.-Vs. 81. s. sand the
king Of Syria said will send
letter unto the king of Israeli" Prob
ably Jehoram, the son of Ahab. He
thought this to be the easiest way to
reach Elisha. "And took with HIM"
To come before anyone with out gift
when a favor was to be asked would
have been inexcusable rudeness.
6. THAT thou mayest recover him of
his leprosy." Through the prophet at
his capital. He imagined that King Je-
horam would of course know all about
such a man.
7. "The king rent his
clothes:" Jehoram lived in perpetual
terror of his powerful and encroach-
ing neighbor. "He seeketh quarrel
against mes" A pretext for again in
vading the country
w. Elisha Offers Saliva ton from God.
VS.. $40. 8. "When Elisha
had heard" He probably had his
home in Samaria, in another part of
the city (Kings, 6:32). "Let him come
now to me-" etc.: However sinful the
king had been. and however powerless
to help Naaman, yet true religion was
not dead; and God would graciously
show His power through His prophet.
10. "And Elisha sent messenger un-
to him:" Why did not the prophet
come forth himself? 1t was possibly
TO teach Naaman that the God of the
prophet was the superior of the king
of Syria. go and wash in Jordan
seven times" The Jordan was Is or
80 miles away by the route he must
travel. The reason for this prescrip-
ton is evidently in the moral effect
of the cure, that the healing of the
body might lead to the salvation of the
soul.
Wo <>f Col Dasa
VS.. II, 12. II. But Naaman was
wroth:" His anger arose from the very
reasons, on account of which the
course of the prophet was best for
him. The plan was too simple. 1t was
absurd on the face of it. There was
nothing in the Jordan which could
help him. 1t was also contrary to his
pride and love of display. He wanted
something fitted to his station.
"Strike his hand over the place" 1t
Is very common superstition that
the hand of king waved over a sore
will cure it.
vi. Gods Way Accepted. Naaman
Cleansed from His Leprosy-vs. 13. II.
13. "And his servants (officers) came
| near" gently soothing Naaman's rage
and seeking to restore him to reason.
Had bid thee do some great thing"
Perhaps some deed of prowess, befit-
ting the mighty man OF valor," or
some fatiguing journey by way of pill
grimage. How much rather then"
etc.: The ease and simplicity of the
requirement was reason not for OBJ
Jecting, but for obeying. It removed
all excuses. Moreover, he had to cross
the Jordan on his way home.
IL. "Then he went down." The long
days journey to the Jordan, full of
thoughts and perplexities. But this
day was good for his soul. Like unto
the flesh of a little child" In striking
contrast to its former foul and dis
eased condition. 1t now became fresher
and fairer than was natural In full
grown man.
| VII Naamo n q Roturu -Whou Nee