Written
by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
General
Naaman was obviously stuck to tradition. That explains why he took the
bilateral diplomatic approach to seeing the Prophet Elisha. Rather than go to
Elisha directly as advised by the Israelite servant girl to his wife; Naaman
went to see the King of Syria. Also rather than send for Elisha or instruct
Naaman to go see Elisha directly; the King of Syria sent a diplomatic letter to
the King of Israel asking him to cure Naaman of his leprosy. Unfortunately,
that letter caused quite a stir in the court of the King of Israel after the
letter was read.
The
Bible records that the King of Israel tore his robe and lamented as to why the
King of Syria chose to take advantage of the issue of Naaman’s leprosy to pick
a quarrel with him. To start with, the King of Israel was not God who can
always heal, kill or make alive. Why then would the King of Syria saddle the
King of Israel with the responsibility and task of curing Naaman? Fortunately for
the King of Israel, Prophet Elisha heard about the travails of the King and
quickly sent a message to the King to send Naaman to him.
