Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 5:16
But he said, [As] the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take [it]; but he refused.
16. I will receive none ] Just as in the earlier part of his conduct Elisha had done everything to direct Naaman’s attention to Jehovah alone as the healer of his disease; so now he will have no gift for himself, lest thereby he should mar the effect of the previous lesson. Heathen priests and prophets were noted for the greed with which they received and demanded rewards. With the servants of the God of Israel there could be nothing of this kind. It was not of them, except as instruments, that the help came, and the gratitude must be paid where it was due. So in spite of much urging, Elisha would receive nothing. He stood before the Lord, and feeling whose servant he was, he must direct all honour to be offered to his Master.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I will receive none – The prophets were in the habit of receiving presents from those who consulted them 1Sa 9:7-8; 1Ki 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 Act 8:20.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 16. I will receive none.] It was very common to give presents to all great and official men; and among these, prophets were always included: but as it might have appeared to the Syrians that he had taken the offered presents as a remuneration for the cure performed, he refused; for as God alone did the work, he alone should have all the glory.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Not that he thought it simply unlawful to receive gifts or presents, which he did receive from others, 2Ki 4:42, but because of the special circumstances of the present case; this being much for the honour of the true God and religion, that the Syrians should see the generous piety, and charity, and kindness of his ministers and servants, and how much they despised all that worldly wealth and glory which the priests or prophets of the Gentiles so greedily sought after; and that hereby Naaman might be much confirmed in that good religion which he had embraced, and others might be brought to a love and liking of it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
But he said, as the Lord liveth, before whom I stand,…. 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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(16) But.And (both times).
I will receive none.Theodoret compares our Lords Freely ye have received, freely give (Mat. 10:8). (Comp. Act. 8:20.) Such may have been Elishas feeling. His refusal, strongly contrasting with the conduct of ordinary prophets, Israelite and heathen (comp. 1Sa. 9:6-9), would make a deep impression upon Naaman and his retinue.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. I will receive none It seems to have been a custom for the prophets to receive presents from those who consulted them, (1Sa 9:7,) and it would appear from 2Ki 8:8-9 that on another occasion Elisha himself received a present from the king of Syria; why, then, did he refuse to accept one from Naaman? Some say because Naaman did not offer his present until after his cure, and thereby showed no little disrespect to the prophet; but a better reason is found in Elisha’s own words, 2Ki 5:26, “Is it a time to receive money and garments,” etc. It was a time of hypocrisy and avarice among the professed prophets and priests in the northern kingdom, and this fact brought the sacred office into disrepute and contempt among the people. It was wise, therefore, for Elisha, in connexion with this great miracle of healing, to decline the rich present of Naaman, so that all might know that the mighty works of God’s grace were free, and that avarice dwelt not in the heart of the true prophet of Jehovah.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 5:16 But he said, [As] the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take [it]; but he refused.
Ver. 16. Before whom I stand. ] As his menial servant, being , i.e., carrying God in him, as Isidor Pelusiot was called, full of God. Particeps Dei est vir sapiens, saith a philosopher, a wise man is a partaker of God, and therefore holds everything else worthless: as Abraham, when once assured that God, “the possessor of heaven and earth,” was his “shield and exceeding great reward,” would not take of the king of Sodom anything, to a shoelatchet. Gen 14:23 ; Gen 15:1
I will receive none.
a Var., Hist., lib. v.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
before, &c. A phrase referring to priesthood, for the sacrifices Naaman speaks of (2Ki 5:17).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
As the Lord: 2Ki 3:14, 1Ki 17:1, 1Ki 18:15
I will receive: 2Ki 5:20, 2Ki 5:26, Gen 14:22, Gen 14:23, 1Ki 13:8, Dan 5:17, Mat 10:8, Act 8:18-20, Act 20:33-35, 1Co 6:12, 1Co 10:32, 1Co 10:33, 2Co 11:9, 2Co 11:10, 2Co 12:14
Reciprocal: Gen 33:11 – urged him 1Ki 1:29 – As the 1Ki 8:41 – cometh out 2Ki 5:23 – And he urged him Act 8:20 – thou 2Co 8:4 – that 2Co 12:17 – General Phi 4:15 – in the 3Jo 1:7 – taking
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 5:16. He said, As the Lord liveth, I will receive none Not that he thought it unlawful to receive presents, which he did receive from others; but because of the special circumstances of the case, it 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.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
5:16 But he said, [As] the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take [it]; {h} but he refused.
(h) So the Lord commands that they that receive freely, should also give freely.