Story 40 of 100 · Based on 2 Kings 5
Naaman Washes in the Jordan River
Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was an important man, but he was sick with leprosy.
His wife had a servant, a girl from Israel. One day, the girl said to her mistress:
—If only my master would go to see the prophet who is in Samaria. He would cure him of his leprosy.
Naaman went with gifts to the house of the prophet Elisha. Elisha did not come out. He sent a messenger to say:
—Go and wash seven times in the Jordan river. Your flesh will be restored and you will be clean.
Naaman became very angry.
—I thought he would come out to me himself —he said—. Are not the rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?
He turned and went off in a rage.
Then his servants came up to him.
—Father —they said—, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more when he only says to you: "Wash and be clean."
Naaman went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, as Elisha had said. And his flesh became clean, like the flesh of a little child.
He went back to see Elisha and said:
—Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel.
God healed Naaman. And a simple little girl helped him find the way.
Let's talk: A little girl helped a great commander. How can you help a grown-up?
Children can help a lot too, with a kind word at the right time. Goodnight.