An Aramean is Healed: The account of Elisha’s miracles continues with the story of Naaman the Aramean, who is healed as he bathes in the river Jordan. It is yet another narrative that picks up themes from the Elijah story; the LORD is seen to be God, not only of Israelites, but also of foreigners (1 Kgs. 17:17–24) and is acknowledged as the only real God (1 Kgs. 18:20–40).

5:1–8 The sovereignty of Israel’s God over the whole world is announced right at the beginning of the story, as we are told that—whatever Naaman himself may think—his success in life comes to him as the LORD’s gift (v. 1). If Aram has been given victory, it is only because the LORD has ordained it so (cf. the commentary on 2 Kgs. 3). The vanquished are not specified, but it may be that we are intended to think of Israel’s…