his covenant. Those who truly hate evil, will make conscience of abstaining from all appearances
of evil.
Verses 20–27
Naaman, a Syrian, a courtier, a soldier, had many servants, and we read how wise and good
they were. Elisha, a holy prophet, a man of God, has but one servant, and he proves a base liar. The
love of money, that root of all evil, was at the bottom of Gehazi's sin. He thought to impose upon
the prophet, but soon found that the Spirit of prophecy could not be deceived, and that it was in
vain to lie to the Holy Ghost. It is folly to presume upon sin, in hopes of secrecy. When thou goest
aside into any by-path, does not thy own conscience go with thee? Does not the eye of God go with
thee? He that covers his sin, shall not prosper; particularly, a lying tongue is but for a moment. All
the foolish hopes and contrivances of carnal worldlings are open before God. It is not a time to
increase our wealth, when we can only do it in such ways as are dishonourable to God and religion,
or injurious to others. Gehazi was punished. If he will have Naaman's money, he shall have his
disease with it. What was Gehazi profited, though he gained two talents, when thereby he lost his
health, his honour, his peace, his service, and, if repentance prevented not, his soul for ever? Let
us beware of hypocrisy and covetousness, and dread the curse of spiritual leprosy remaining on
our souls.
Chapter 6
Chapter Outline
The sons of the prophets enlarge their (1–7)
habitations, Iron made to swim.
Elisha discloses the counsels of the Syrians. (8–12)
Syrians sent to seize Elisha. (13–23)
Samaria besieged, A famine, The king sends (24–33)
to slay Elisha.Verses 1–7
There is that pleasantness in the converse of servants of God, which can make those who listen
to them forget the pain and the weariness of labour. Even the sons of the prophets must not be
unwilling to labour. Let no man think an honest employment a burden or a disgrace. And labour
of the head, is as hard, and very often harder, than labour with the hands. We ought to be careful
of that which is borrowed, as of our own, because we must do as we would be done by. This man
was so respecting the axe-head. And to those who have an honest mind, the sorest grievance of
poverty is, not so much their own want and disgrace, as being rendered unable to pay just debts.