Gehazi, proved untrustworthy by his conduct on this occasion, again
aroused the ire of the prophet when he disregarded the order not to
accept money from Naaman, the Syrian captain. He did not succeed in
deceiving the prophet. On his return from Naaman he found Elisha
occupied with the study of the chapter in the Mishnah Shabbat which
deals with the eight reptiles. The prophet Elisha greeted him with the
rebuke: "Thou villain! the time has come for me to be rewarded for the
study of the Mishnah about the eight reptiles. May my reward be that
the disease of Naaman afflict thee and thy descendants for evermore."
Scarcely had these words escaped his lips, when he saw the leprosy come
out on Gehazi's face. (15) Gehazi deserved the punishment on account of
his base character. He was sensual and envious, and did not believe in
the resurrection of the dead. His unworthy qualities were displayed in
his conduct toward the Shunammite and toward the disciples of Elisha.
When the pretty Shunammite came to the prophet in her grief over the
death of her child, Gehazi took her passionately in his arms, under the
pretext of forcing her away from the prophet, on whom she had laid hold
in her supplications.
As for the other disciples of Elisha, he endeavored to keep them away
from the house of the prophet. He was in the habit of standing without
the door. This induced many to turn away and go home, for they reasoned
that, if the house were not full to overflowing, Gehazi would not be
standing outside. Only after Gehazi's dismissal did the disciples of
Elisha increase marvellously. That Gehazi had no faith in the
resurrection of the dead, is shown by his incredulity with regard to
the child of the Shunammite. (16)
In spite of all these faults, Elisha regretted that he had cast off his
disciple, who was a great scholar in the law, especially as Gehazi
abandoned himself to a sinful life after leaving the prophet. By means
of magnetism he made the golden calves at Beth-el float in the air, and
many were brought to believe in the divinity of these idols. Moreover,
he engraved the great and awful Name of God in their mouth. Thus they
were enabled to speak, and they gave forth the same words God had
proclaimed from Sinai: "I am the Lord thy God Thou shalt have no other
gods before Me." Elisha accordingly repaired to Damascus to lead Gehazi
back to the paths of righteousness. But he remained impenitent, for he
said: "From thyself I have learned that there is no return for him who
not only sins himself, but also induces others to sin." (17) So Gehazi
died without having done aught to atone for his transgressions, which
were so great that he is one of the few Jews who have no share in
Paradise. (18) His children inherited his leprosy. He and his three
sons are the four leprous men who informed the king of Israel of the
precipitate flight of the Syrian host. (19)
Elisha's excessive severity toward his servant Gehazi and toward the
mocking boys of Jericho did not go unpunished. He had to endure two
periods of disease, and the third sickness that befell him cause his
death. He is the first known to history who survived a sickness. Before
him death had been the inevitable companion of disease. (20)
A great miracle marked the end of a life rich in miraculous deeds: a
dead man revived at the touch of Elisha's bier, and stood on his feet.
It was a worthy character for whom the wonder was accomplished
Shallum the son of Tikvah, the husband of Huldah the prophetess, a man
of noble descent, who had led a life of lovingkindness. He was in the
habit of going daily beyond the city bearing the pitcher of water, from
which he gave every traveller to drink, a good deed that received a
double reward. His wife became a prophetess, and when he died and his
funeral, attended by a large concourse of people, was disturbed by the
invasion of the Arameans, he was given new life by contact with the
bones of Elisha. He lived to have a son, Hanamel by name. (21)
The death of Elisha was a great misfortune for the Israelites. So long
as he was alive, no Aramean troops entered Palestine. The first
invasion by them happened on the day of his burial. (22)