An hour before sunset, upon the day following his departure from Damascus, the caravan of Naaman reached the banks of the Jordan. The Jordan was very different from the beautiful Syrian rivers, Abaha and Pharpar. Its waters, muddy and discolored, flowed sluggishly between unshaded banks covered with coarse grass and rank weeds.
Naaman descended from his chariot and advanced to the banks of the river. He stood, for some moments, frowningly regarding the discolored water as it crept to his feet, then he threw aside his purple robe, disclosing upon his broad chest awful, loathsome sores. He stepped into the water.
In a few minutes he stood again upon the bank. His great muscular arms were crossed upon his breast, a gray pallor lay upon his face.
"I have done the bidding of Elisha," he cried, "I have bathed seven times in the Jordan, but my brain doth whirl, my eyes are dim and blurred. Masrekah, faithful servant, 'tis for thee to speak—am I whole or am I still a leper?" and he threw his arms wide apart.
In silent wonder and awe the servants of Naaman gazed upon their master. The loathsome, leprous spots had entirely disappeared, his flesh "was like unto the flesh of a little child."
But Naaman knew not that he was healed. His eyes, dim and dazed, were fixed upon the old servant. One downward glance would have told him all, but Naaman, soldier and mighty man of valor, now knew a coward's fear.
Masrekah came forward, and falling at his master's feet, covered his hands with kisses and tears of joy.
"Master! dearest master!" he cried, "thou art healed! thou art clean! thou art no more a leper."
A great tremor shook Naaman's massive limbs. He grew weak as a little child, his lips quivered and tears filled his eyes. His servants broke into shouts of joy and exultation. They threw themselves on their knees before Naaman, kissing his hands and feet.
"Arise, my good and faithful servants," said Naaman. "Turn we our faces again towards Samaria. I go to seek the prophet, Elisha."
Masrekah laid his hand upon Naaman's arm.
"My lord," he said, "thou hast forgotten to render thanks to Rimmon, god of Syria, for the great good that hath been done unto thee. Masrekahthus presumeth to remind his lord lest the god, being angered, should send some calamity upon Naaman."
Naaman smiled.
"Naaman shall not render thanks to Rimmon, god of Syria," he said. "Nor doth Naaman fear the anger of Syria's god. Nay, be not troubled, my good Masrekah, all will be well with Naaman."
Naaman then arrayed himself in his purple robe and passed on to his chariot. For a moment he stood gazing upon the waters of the Jordan to which the crimson glow from the setting sun lent fleeting beauty. His eyes were filled with a great joy, an immeasurable peace. Then he stepped into his chariot and motioned for the caravan to proceed.
It was the same hour, upon the next day, that the caravan of Naaman again stood before the humble dwellingof Elisha. Naaman, calling one of his servants to him, said:
"Go thou into the house of Elisha and say to him, 'Naaman of Syria, having done thy bidding, bathed seven times in the Jordan, has come forth whole. He most earnestly desireth speech with thee, that he may tell to thee how his heart has changed, also give unto thee the ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold and ten changes of raiment which he brought with him from Damascus.'"
The servant passed into the house of the prophet. In a short time he returned, saying:
"Elisha will come forth, my lord, and speak with thee."
Naaman alighted from the chariot and awaited the coming of the prophet. After a little while a man stepped through the low doorway of the humble dwelling and approached Naaman.
Tall and spare in figure, he wore a dark, coarse, robe, over which flowed a long, gray beard. His face was pale and worn, his eyes gentle and calm.
Naaman sank upon his knees at the feet of the prophet.
"Arise, Naaman of Syria," said Elisha, in a voice of wonderful sweetness.
Naaman pressed the coarse robe of the prophet to his lips ere he rose to his feet. Then, calling to his servants, he said:
"Bring hither the treasure which Naaman brought with him from Damascus to reward Elisha."
"Nay, Naaman of Syria must take back with him to Damascus the treasure he did bring," said Elisha. "Elisha desireth not riches nor the praise of men. 'Twas not for these things that he didst heal Naaman of his leprosy."
Naaman, seeing that it would be quite useless to endeavor to force reward upon the prophet, signed to his servants to leave undisturbed the treasure. Then, again kneeling at Elisha's feet, he cried, aloud:
"Elisha, through thee it has been revealed to me that there is no god in all the earth but only in Israel. Henceforth, Naaman will offer sacrifice only to the true God of Israel."
"Peace be with thee, Naaman of Syria," said the prophet, with his sweet, gentle smile. "'Tis indeed well with thee. A greater good has come to thee than the healing of thy body from the foulness of leprosy. Go thou in peace."
The days passed very slowly and wearily to Claudia, wife of Naaman, as she awaited in her palace home the return of her husband. Sometimes her heart was filled with hope, then, again, she would be plunged into the deepest despondency, when it seemed madness to believe that any man had power to heal the leper.
Leah, the little maid, watched her mistress wistfully, tenderly. One morning, as she sat at Claudia's feet, she looked up into her pale, beautiful face and said:
"Why art thou so sad, my dear mistress?"
"Ah, maiden," replied Claudia, "thou canst not understand the tortures of suspense which consume me."
"Suspense!" repeated the little maid. "Then thou dost doubt the power of Elisha to heal my lord of his leprosy?"
"Yes," answered Claudia. "For how can man be possessed of such power?"
A smile of rare sweetness lighted up the face of the little maid.
"My own dear mistress, put aside all thy doubts, all thy trouble, for my lord will return healed of his leprosy," she said.
"Child, great indeed is thy faith in this man, Elisha," said Claudia. "Hast thou ever seen him, spoken with him?"
"No," answered the little maid. "I was on my way to seek him when I was captured by the Syrians."
"What was thy purpose in seeking Elisha, maiden?" asked Claudia.
Leah's lips quivered, her soft eyes filled with tears.
"In the land of Israel I have a brother who has been a cripple from birth," she murmured. "I was on my way to Samaria to seek Elisha and beg of him that he heal my brother."
"But, child, thou art poor, how didst thou propose to reward Elisha for healing thy brother?" asked Claudia.
The little maid looked up inquiringly.
"What meaneth thou, dear mistress?" she asked.
"Surely thou knoweth, maiden, that the magicians of the court of Benhadad, king of Syria, receive rich salaries," replied Claudia. "But even they possess not the power of this Elisha for they cannot heal the leper. Therefore, Elisha must be even more richly rewarded than are the magicians of Benhadad's court."
"Dear mistress, Elisha is no magician, but a holy man of God," saidthe little maid. "He dwelleth not at the court of the king, neither does he receive aught in recompense for the good that he doeth."
"I—I do not understand," murmured Claudia, perplexedly. "Why, Naaman, my husband, did take with him to Samaria ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold and ten changes of raiment with which to reward Elisha should he be healed of his leprosy."
Leah smiled.
"My lord will bring back with him from Damascus the ten talents of silver, the six thousand pieces of gold and the ten changes of raiment," she said, "for Elisha will have none of them."
Claudia sat for some moments in thought.
"Perhaps this Elisha is a seeker after fame, and so to win the praise ofmen he uses his power for the poor as well as the rich," she said, at length. "But I believe not that he will refuse the treasure which my husband carried with him to Samaria."
Leah did not answer. Claudia, after regarding her attentively for some moments, said:
"Thou seemeth to give no heed to my words, maiden. Dost thou in truth believe that Elisha will refuse to receive the treasure which Naaman carryeth with him?"
"I know dear mistress, that Elisha will refuse to accept the treasure which my lord carryeth with him to Samaria," replied the little maid, firmly. "Elisha careth not for riches nor the praise of men. He seeketh only to please and serve the Lord who hath given to him his great power."
"What manner of man is this Elisha who can inspire such great and unswervingfaith?" mused Claudia. "Is the God of Israel more powerful than the god of Syria, for Rimmon hath given to no man in Syria power like unto that possessed by Elisha?" she said aloud.
The little maid looked up earnestly into her mistress' beautiful face.
"There is no God save the God of Israel," she said.
Claudia smiled indulgently.
"Thou art of the land of Israel, little one," she said, "and, therefore, thou dost believe that the God Israel worships be the only true God. Perhaps, if thou dwelleth long in Syria, thou will learn to worship Syria's god."
"No, dear lady, that could never be," replied Leah, earnestly. "I may see no more my people and my country, but I shall ever remain faithful to my God. He dwelleth not alone in the land of Israel, but he rulethover all the earth. 'Tis He, Who through his prophet, will heal thy husband of his leprosy."
"Thou speaketh idle words child," said Claudia, a little impatiently. "The God of Israel would not bestow His favors upon a Syrian who does worship Syria's god. But, there, enough of this; let us speak of other things. Tell me of thy people. Hast thou brothers and sisters in the land of Israel?"
"I have but one brother, dear mistress," replied Leah.
"And this brother has been a cripple from birth?" gently asked Claudia.
"Yes, dear mistress."
"And thou dost love him very dearly?"
"Ah, so dearly," murmured the little maid, with quivering lips.
"Poor child, thy young life hasknown much sorrow," said Claudia, pityingly. "And, yet, thou thinketh more of the sorrows of others than of thy own."
"My heart is sad at times," said Leah. "But I must not rebel against the will of the good God."
"And is this why thou dost bear so patiently and unmurmuringly the sorrows which have darkened thy young life?" asked Claudia, wonderingly. "But the gods are wont to send afflictions upon those who offend them, thou canst not have offended thy God."
"God, in His wisdom, doth often afflict those whom He loveth," said Leah.
Claudia smiled.
"This God of thine is a strange God," she said.
When fourteen days had passed since his departure for Samaria, the caravan of Naaman again entered the gates of Damascus.
The little maid, learning of this, made haste to seek her mistress.
"Dear mistress," she said, "the caravan of my lord has entered the city and proceedeth to the palace of Benhadad, the king."
Claudia turned very white.
"And—and what other tidings dost thou bring?" she faltered. "Speak, child; keep me not in suspense."
"I bring no further tidings, my mistress," answered the little maid.
Claudia sank upon a couch, trembling and faint. Leah knelt beside her and kissed her hands.
"Why dost thou tremble and grow pale, dear mistress," she asked. "I did come to thee at once with the tidings of my lord's return, thinking that thou wouldst rejoice and be happy."
"If I knew that he were healed then indeed would I rejoice," said Claudia. "But if he be not healed my heart will be filled with sadness and sad indeed our meeting."
"Be at peace, my lady," said the little maid, earnestly. "My lord has returned healed of his leprosy."
"Thou hast indeed great faith, child," said Claudia, with a faint smile. "But only when I hear from the lips of my husband that he is healed will I believe. But, come and array me, for whether Naaman return in sorrow or gladness I will do him honor."
The little maid hastened to put arich silken robe upon her mistress, binding back her golden hair with a circlet of glittering gems.
"Come," then said Claudia, "thou shalt await with me the coming of Naaman."
Upon entering Damascus, Naaman had at once sought the palace of the king.
The latter received him most graciously, saying:
"What fortune did attend thy journey into the land of Israel, my good Naaman?"
"My lord, I return healed of my leprosy," replied Naaman.
"Thou cometh indeed with wonderful tidings," exclaimed the king. "Marvelous is the power of this magician of the court of Jehoram. What sayeth thy wife, the beautiful Claudia? great rejoicing must indeed be hers."
"She as yet knows not that I havereturned from Samaria," answered Naaman. "I did first seek the presence of my king to make known to him the wonders that have been done unto me."
"Ah," murmured Benhadad, "thou art ever faithful to thy country and thy king."
The proud eyes of the Syrian wavered and fell under the king's kind gaze.
"Ah," he was thinking, "the king knows not that I have forsaken the god of my country for Jehovah Who ruleth over all the earth."
"I will detain thee no longer at present," said Benhadad. "Make haste to the presence of thy wife with thy tidings of joy. Meanwhile the news shall go abroad over all the land that Naaman has returned from Samaria healed of his leprosy that all Syria may rejoice and offer sacrifice to Rimmon.Say to thy wife that Benhadad rejoices with her that Naaman has returned healed."
Naaman bent his head to kiss the hand of the king and then left the palace. As the chariot passed through the streets of Damascus shouts of rejoicing were heard upon every side; Benhadad had already sent forth the tidings of the healing of Naaman.
Claudia, awaiting the coming of her husband, heard the shouts and cries and turned very pale.
"What means those cries?" she asked of the little maid.
"My lord passes through the streets of Damascus and the people rejoices that he is healed," answered Leah.
"Only when I hear from the lips of my husband that he be healed will I believe," again said Claudia.
The servants of the palace then took up the joyous cries; Naaman had passed through the gates.
A few moments more and the embroidered draperies were put aside and Naaman stood upon the threshold of the great chamber. And as she looked into his face Claudia knew how it was with him. She moved forward and was folded to his breast. And the little maid, with tears in her eyes, passed out of the chamber, leaving them alone.
After a little while, however, she was summoned to the presence of Naaman. Claudia, her beautiful face all aglow with happiness, stood by her husband's side.
"Maiden," said Naaman, "Elisha, whose great powers thou didst make known to me, has healed me of my leprosy."
"My lord, my heart is indeed glad that thou hast returned healed of thy leprosy," said the little maid.
"And thou, maiden, shall be rewarded,"continued Naaman. "Ask of me what thou wilt and it shall be granted unto thee."
The little maid fell upon her knees at his feet.
"O, my lord," she cried, "I would return to those who love me and sorrow for me in the dear land of Israel. I crave of thee but one thing, my lord—freedom."
"It is granted thee," said Naaman. "Thou art no more a slave."
The little maid caught his hand and covered it with kisses. Claudia stooped and lifted her to her feet.
"It grieves me to part with thee, little one," she said. "But I shall be glad that thou art happy with those whom thou dost love."
"I shall never forget thee nor cease to love thee," murmured Leah.
"Maiden, hast thou no further desire?" asked Naaman.
"What more could I desire, my lord, since thou hast given me my freedom?" replied the little maid.
"Thou art poor," said Naaman. "Hast thou never craved riches?"
"Not for myself, my lord," answered Leah. "But I have often wished that my parents were not forced to labor so hard."
"Thy parents shall labor no more," said Naaman, quietly.
"What meaneth thou, my lord?" murmured the little maid, bewilderedly.
"Listen to me, maiden," continued Naaman. "I did carry with me to Samaria ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold and ten changes of raiment with which to reward Elisha should he heal me of my leprosy."
Leah smiled.
"And Elisha did refuse to acceptthe treasure which thou didst carry with thee to Samaria," she said.
"Yes," replied Naaman, "but the treasure which Elisha did refuse shall be thine."
Early upon the morning following a servant came to Leah and said:
"There be a lad outside the gates of the palace who desires speech with thee."
"A lad desires speech with me," said the little maid, wonderingly. "But I know no lad in Damascus."
"He inquired for the Israelite maiden who is a slave in the house of Naaman," replied the servant. "'Tis only a ragged beggar lad," and the servant turned scornfully away.
Leah passed out of the palace and ran down to the great gates.
Beyond the gates, for the servant had not permitted him to enter, stood a lad. His coarse garments were soiled and torn, his bare feet were cutand bleeding. The golden light from the rising sun fell upon his dark curly head.
Uttering a cry of joy, he ran, with outstretched hands, towards the little maid.
"Leah! sister! I have found thee at last!" he cried.
She stood motionless, gazing at him with wide, bewildered eyes.
"Isaac! my brother! is it indeed thou?" she cried.
"Yes, 'tis indeed thy Isaac!" he answered. "But, as thou dost see, no longer a cripple for Elisha has made me whole."
"Elisha has made thee whole," she repeated.
"Yes; listen, and I will tell thee all," said Isaac. "I will speak but briefly of the sorrow which did fill our hearts when thou wert captured by the Syrians. Had I not been a helplesscripple I would have gone forth to seek thee. Then one day our mother called our father to her and said, 'Unless thou seeketh help we shall soon have no child, for Isaac will die of his grief for his sister.' 'Where and of whom shall I seek help?' asked our father. 'Journey to Samaria and seek the prophet, Elisha,' answered our mother. 'Tell to him how heavily the hand of misfortune has fallen upon our home. Beg of him to return with thee and heal our son.'
"So upon the morrow our father did borrow the ass of our neighbor and set forth upon his journey to Samaria. In the evening he returned, bringing Elisha with him. That night, sister, while our parents slept, Elisha came and stood beside my couch. I felt the touch of his hand upon my limbs and I heard his voice saying, 'With the sun thou shalt risefrom thy couch and walk.' Then he was gone and it seemed to me I had but dreamed. When the morning had come and the sun had risen, Elisha was gone, but I did arise from my couch and walk, for I was strong and made whole.
"Then did I set forth to seek thee. I was many days in reaching Damascus. I was often hungry and footsore, but I was happy for I was no longer a cripple. But yesterday I did pass through the gates of Damascus. There was great excitement upon the streets. The people were shouting and uttering cries of joy. I learned that they were rejoicing because Naaman, a great Syrian general and favorite of the king, Benhadad, had returned from Samaria healed of his leprosy.
"I asked a woman in the crowd who had healed Naaman. 'A great man called Elisha,' she replied. 'Tissaid that Naaman did hear of this Elisha through a little Israelite maid who is a slave in Naaman's household.' Oh, dear sister, how I did rejoice at her words for I knew then that I had found thee. I am come to offer myself as Naaman's slave that I may ransom thee."
Leah put her arms tenderly about his neck.
"Brother," she said, "I am no more a slave; neither shalt thou nor our parents labor, for Naaman has made me rich. Oh! dear brother! our hearts should indeed be filled with gratitude to Jehovah, Israel's God."
END.
book spine
Transcriber's Notes:Obvious punctuation errors repaired.Page 12, "widsom" changed to "wisdom" (words of wisdom)Page 52, "pesisted" changed to "persisted" (persisted the servant)Page 68, "A" changed to "An" (An hour before)
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
Page 12, "widsom" changed to "wisdom" (words of wisdom)
Page 52, "pesisted" changed to "persisted" (persisted the servant)
Page 68, "A" changed to "An" (An hour before)