Upon leaving the caravan of Naaman, the servant of the king returned to
the palace and sought his master.
"What tidings dost thou bring?" asked Jehoram. "Hath Elisha healed
Naaman of his leprosy?"
"No, my lord," replied the servant, "and I bring to thee a message from
Naaman who is greatly incensed," and he repeated to the king Naaman's
message.
Jehoram's face grew pale.
The servant then proceeded to relate how Elisha had received Naaman and
what he had bid him do.
"What meaneth Elisha?" cried Jehoram, in fear and anger. "Does he not
know that he will bring destruction upon Israel?"
"I did say unto Naaman of Syria that the ways of Elisha, the prophet,
were not like unto the ways of other men," said the servant. "But
Naaman would not give heed to my words, he angrily bade me be gone."
"Go, mount the fleetest horse in my possession and make haste to the
house of Elisha," commanded the king. "Say to him that if Naaman of
Syria returneth in anger to Damascus, Benhadad, king of all Syria, will
at once declare war upon Israel. Say to Elisha that Jehoram his king,
doth command him to heal Naaman of his leprosy lest destruction come
upon Israel."
"But, my lord, pardon thy servant for reminding thee that Naaman of
Syria refused to do the bidding of Elisha," said the servant. "He
believeth that Elisha does but mock him."
"Ah, this worshipper of a false god understandeth not the ways of a
prophet of the true God of Israel," cried the king, scornfully. "But
be that as it may Naaman must not return unhealed and in anger to
Damascus. So go thou with all speed and deliver my message to Elisha.
The caravan of Naaman cannot have proceeded far; thou canst still
overtake it after thou hast seen Elisha. Lose not a moment; go!"
After the departure of his servant Jehoram shut himself up alone in
his chamber. He sought not the counsel of the wise men of his kingdom;
he knew that no one could extricate him from threatened disaster save
Elisha.
Impatiently the king tossed aside the jeweled crown which rested so
heavily upon his aching brows.
"Ah, can all the glory of a king compensate for the cares that lie
so heavily upon him? Jehoram, king of all Israel, often envyeth the
humblest of his subjects."
Time passed and the king, restless with suspense, consumed with
anxiety, awaited the coming of his servant. At length, the servant
returned.
"Speak; what tidings dost thou bring?" cried the king.
"My lord," replied the servant, "I did hasten, as thou commanded, to
the house of Elisha. His servant admitted me to the presence of the
prophet and I delivered to him thy message. Elisha heard me in silence,
then he spoke. 'Jehoram, king of Israel, hath but little faith,' he
said. 'Go to thy master and say unto him that Naaman will return to
Damascus healed of his leprosy.'"
A long sigh of relief broke from the lips of the king.
"Elisha be a prophet and a holy man of God," he said, "therefore, will
I believe his words and have faith in him."