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2 Kings 5:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 5:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But he said, As Jehovah liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But he said, As Jehovah liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
2 Kings 5:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
14Then went he down, and dipped [himself] seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
15And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a present of thy servant.
16But he said, As Jehovah liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
17And Naaman said, If not, yet, I pray thee, let there be given to thy servant two mules` burden of earth; for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt-offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto Jehovah.
18In this thing Jehovah pardon thy servant: when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, Jehovah pardon thy servant in this thing.
19And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he said, as the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, etc.] Whose minister and prophet he was, and by whom he swears: I will receive none: to let him know that this cure was not to be attributed to him, but the Lord only; and that what concern he had in it was not for the sake of money, but for the glory of the God of Israel: and he urged him to take it, but he refused it; Naaman was very pressing upon him to receive a gift from him, but he could not be prevailed upon to accept it.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I will receive none - The prophets were in the habit of receiving presents from those who consulted them 1 Samuel 9:7-8; 1 Kings 14:3, but Elisha refused. It was important that Naaman should not suppose that the prophets of the true God acted from motives of self-interest, much less imagine that “the gift of God might be purchased with money” Acts 8:20. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He refused - Not that he thought it unlawful to receive presents, which he did receive from others, but because of the special circumstances of the case; this being much for the honour of God that the Syrians should see the generous piety, and kindness of his ministers and servants, and how much they despised all that worldly wealth and glory, which the prophets of the Gentiles so greedily sought after. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 5:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“As the Lord: Kg2 3:14; Kg1 17:1, Kg1 18:15 I will receive: Kg2 5:20, Kg2 5:26; Gen 14:22, Gen 14:23; Kg1 13:8; Dan 5:17; Mat 10:8; Act 8:18-20; Act 20:33-35; Co1 6:12, Co1 10:32, Co1 10:33; Co2 11:9, Co2 11:10, Co2 12:14 4 Kings (2 Kings) 5:17”
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Sources and verification