John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And the Syrians had gone out by companies , etc.] Not regular troops, but a sort of banditti of robbers, which made excursions into the land of Israel, to plunder and carry off what booty they could: and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid ; for boys and girls were a part of the booty of such robbers, whom they could sell for money, (see Joel 3:1). Jarchi and Kimchi say she was a girl of Naaron, a city so called: and she waited on Naaman’s wife ; being either made a present of to the general by those plunderers, or was bought by him of them for his wife’s service.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Though the Syrians were idolaters, and oppressed God's people, yet the deliverance of which Naaman had been the means, is here ascribed to the Lord. Such is the correct language of Scripture, while those who writ common history, plainly show that God is not in all their thoughts. N man's greatness, or honour, can place him our of the reach of the sorest calamities of human life: there is many a sickly, crazy bod under rich and gay clothing. Every man has some but or other, somethin that blemishes and diminishes him, some allay to his grandeur, some damp to his joy. This little maid, though only a girl, could give a account of the famous prophet the Israelites had among them. Children should be early told of the wondrous works of God, that, wherever the go, they may talk of them. As became a good servant, she desired the health and welfare of her master, though she was a captive, a servan by force; much more should servants by choice, seek their masters good. Servants may be blessings to the families where they are, by telling what they know of the glory of God, and the honour of his prophets. Naaman did not despise what she told, because of he meanness. It would be well if men were as sensible of the burden of sin as they are of bodily disease. And when they seek the blessings whic the Lord sends in answer to the prayers of his faithful people, the will find nothing can be had, except they come as beggars for a fre gift, not as lords to demand or purchase.
Original Hebrew וארם758 יצאו3318 גדודים1416 וישׁבו7617 מארץ776 ישׂראל3478 נערה5291 קטנה6996 ותהי1961 לפני6440 אשׁת802 נעמן׃5283
