Our story opens with Naaman, the military Chief of Staff of the Aramean army. Naaman is a very great man who has received the favor of the King of Aram, Syria, because of his victory over Israel. Anytime Israel lost a battle or a war, the disaster was felt to be the hand of God at work. In the theology of ancient Israel, no foreign army could be victorious over Israel unless it was God's will. 

As we read this story in 2 Kings 5, we come to the conclusion that Israel's defeat is in accordance with the will of God. This defeat at the hands of the Arameans would result in the conversion, for God's glory, of a Gentile military genius, Naaman. In spite of defeat and tragedy, good can still be achieved. 

Naaman, the Aram general, was a great warrior who was brave and strong. Josephus believed…