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Mount Ephraim, on which both Bethel and Gilgal were situated, and that he
requested for them a talent of silver and two changes of garments. Probably we are to
understand that these imaginary "sons of the prophets" were represented as having
come in name of their respective communities, to crave help from Elisha. This would
explain why Naaman should have urged Gehazi to "be pleased" - to "consent" - to
take two talents (each from 300 pounds to 375 pounds). But for the hardening effect
of sin, especially of lying and covetousness, Gehazi must have been touched by the
evident simplicity of Naaman, and by that respectful courtesy which now would not
allow the servant of the prophet, who had come on such a charitable errand, to be
burdened with carrying the silver, but detailed two of his attendants for the purpose.
Gehazi allowed them to come as far as "the hill,"^215 and then dismissed them, to
prevent possible detection.
Having secreted the money in the house, Gehazi made his appearance before his
master. To what he might have felt as a searching inquiry, "Whence, Gehazi?" he
replied by a bold denial of having been absent from the house. Evidently Gehazi did
not realize that the Jehovah Whom he had erst invoked, and before Whom Elisha
stood, was the living and the true God. Taking up the very words of Gehazi, "Thy
servant did not go," Elisha put it, "Did not my heart go?"^216 and then set before him
the whole scene as it had been present to his inward spiritual vision.
Then, setting forth the incongruity of such mean lying and self-seeking on such an
occasion - when the glory of God should have been the sole thought and aim of a true
Israelite, he pronounced upon him what must be felt a sentence of meet retribution.
The Syrian had become an Israelite in heart and spirit, and he was healed of his
leprosy in Israel's waters. The Israelite had become heathen in heart and spirit, and he
and his were struck with the leprosy of the Syrian, whose money he had coveted for
himself and his family. What each had sown, that did he reap. And this also was not
only for just judgment, but for a testimony to God and to His servant.^217
(^)