Lives of Scripture

Gehazi served as Elisha's personal attendant, appearing throughout the prophet's ministry, including once helping restore a Shunammite boy to life at Elisha's instruction (2 Kings 4:29-37) and once wrongly trying to keep the Shunammite woman from Elisha (4:27). His defining moment comes after Naaman, the Syrian commander, was healed of leprosy by following Elisha's instructions to wash in the Jordan; when Naaman offered a generous reward, Elisha firmly refused any payment, making clear the healing was God's gift, not something to be bought (5:14-16). After Naaman departed, Gehazi decided to pursue him secretly, fabricating a story that two young prophets had just arrived and needed a talent of silver and two changes of clothing; Naaman, glad to give, pressed even more silver on him than requested (5:20-24). Gehazi hid the goods and returned to Elisha, who asked where he had been; Gehazi lied outright, saying he had gone nowhere (5:25). Elisha revealed he had seen it all in spirit, and pronounced judgment: "the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever." Gehazi left Elisha's presence "a leper as white as snow" (5:26-27). His story is a sharp warning against turning a genuine act of God's grace into a private opportunity for personal gain through deceit.