2 Kings 5:20

“But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God said, etc.] Within himself, observing what had passed: behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: he speaks contemptibly of Naaman, as an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, and reproaches his master for letting him go free, without paying for his cure; when he thought he should have taken what he brought and offered, and given it to needy Israelites, and especially to the sons of the prophets, that wanted it; and perhaps it mostly disturbed him, that he had no share of it himself: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him; the word for “somewhat”,…”

“GEHAZI, BY A LIE, OBTAINS A PRESENT, BUT IS SMITTEN WITH LEPROSY. (Kg2 5:20-27) I will run after him, and take somewhat of him--The respectful courtesy to Elisha, shown in the person of his servant, and the open-handed liberality of his gifts, attest the fulness of Naaman's gratitude; while the lie--the artful management is dismissing the bearers of the treasure, and the deceitful appearance before his master, as if he had not left the house--give a most unfavorable impression of Gehazi's character.”

“This Syrian - The words are emphatic. Gehazi persuades himself that it is right to spoil a Syrian - that is, a Gentile, and an enemy of Israel. As the Lord liveth - These words are here a profane oath. Gehazi, anxious to make himself believe that he is acting in a proper, and, even, in a religions spirit, does not scruple to introduce one of the most solemn of religious phrases. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Gehazi - One would expect Elisha's servant should have been a saint: but we find him far otherwise. The best men, the best ministers, have often had those about them, that were their grief and shame. This Syrian - A stranger, and one of that nation who are the implacable enemies of God's people. As the Lord - He swears, that he might have some pretence for the action to which he had bound himself by his oath; not considering, that to swear to do any wicked action, is so far from excusing it, that it makes it much worse. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 5:23”

“Gehazi: Kg2 4:12, Kg2 4:31, Kg2 4:36; Mat 10:4; Joh 6:70, Joh 12:6, Joh 13:2; Act 8:18, Act 8:19 my master: Pro 26:16; Luk 16:8; Joh 12:5, Joh 12:6; Act 5:2 as the Lord liveth: Kg2 6:31; Exo 20:7; Sa1 14:39 and take: Exo 20:17; Psa 10:3; Jer 22:17; Hab 2:9; Luk 12:15; Ti1 6:9-11; Ti2 4:10; Tit 1:7; Pe1 5:2; Pe2 2:14, Pe2 2:15 4 Kings (2 Kings) 5:21”

“Punishment of Gehazi. - Kg2 5:20-22. When Naaman had gone a stretch of the way (ארץ כּברת, Kg2 5:19; see at Gen 35:16), there arose in Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the desire for a portion of the presents of the Syrian which his master had refused (אם כּי יי חי, as truly as Jehovah liveth, assuredly I run after him; אם כּי as in Sa1 25:34). He therefore hastened after him; and as Naaman no sooner saw Gehazi running after him than he sprang quickly down from his chariot in reverential gratitude to the prophet (יפּל as in Gen 24:64), he asked in the name of Elisha for a talent of silver and two changes of raiment, professedly for two poor pupils of the prophets, who had come to the prophet…”