A Captive Child Speaks Up

WE DO not know her name, but we do know an important part of her story. She was a little girl who had lived in Israel during the reign of King Jehoram. He and the nation he led were rebellious, so Jehovah allowed the Syrians to keep attacking and raiding the land. One day, Syrian raiders captured this little girl and brought her back to Syria.

We can only imagine the fear of the child and the grief of her family. She became the property of Naaman, a capable military leader. Naaman gave the girl to his wife to be her servant. The child surely did her best to adapt to her new life. She may have sensed a profound sadness in the household. Naaman was suffering from a terrible disease, leprosy. It disfigured people and was sometimes incurable.

This little girl had a big heart. She knew that Naaman was an enemy of Israel, but she felt bad for him and his wife. And she knew that there was hope. Perhaps her parents had related stories to her about the amazing things that Jehovah enabled his prophet Elisha to do. But she did not know if Elisha had ever cured anyone of such an illness before. Yet, the little girl felt sure that her God, Jehovah, could cause his prophet to do anything that was needed.

Should she speak up? It likely seemed dangerous to do so. Naaman worshipped the Syrian god Rimmon, and he regularly took the king of Syria to worship at Rimmon’s temple. It seems that the Syrians saw that god as a mighty bringer of storms and thunder. What would Naaman think of Jehovah, the God this girl worshipped? Might Naaman be insulted by the idea that Jehovah could do what Rimmon could not? The girl must have prayed, asking Jehovah for courage. Then, she spoke up to her mistress: “If only my lord would visit the prophet in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy.”

Those words​—the only ones she utters in the Bible record—​may seem simple. But the effects were far-reaching. In the next verse, we find Naaman approaching his king, named Ben-hadad, to report what the girl had said. Then the king sent Naaman to Israel, bearing a royal letter to King Jehoram, requesting that Naaman be cured of his leprosy.

After Naaman left, his household could only wait in anxious suspense. Surely that little girl prayed and prayed, begging Jehovah to act and show Naaman that He alone is the true God. Days, perhaps weeks, passed. One day, Naaman returned at last. Imagine the excitement in the household when they saw the man up close. His skin, once disfigured by disease, was now as clear and fresh as that of a young boy​—he was cured!

That little girl must have paid close attention to the whole story: how Elisha had received Naaman, had tested his humility, even angered him; how Naaman’s servants had persuaded him to follow the prophet’s simple instructions; how Naaman had plunged seven times into the Jordan River and had finally emerged​—completely cleansed of the disease. But then came the best part. From that time on, Naaman was her fellow worshipper of Jehovah God!

All of that came about because one little girl mustered up the courage to speak up and talk about her God and his prophet. True, we do not know her name​—but Jehovah does. And if we imitate the courage of that child, we will live to see the day when Jehovah resurrects her. Imagine the pleasure of meeting her, learning her name, and hearing her tell the rest of her story!

Read the Bible account:

• 2 Kings 5:1-19

For discussion:

In what ways did the little Israelite girl show courage?

Dig Deeper

1. 1. Why may the little girl have found the Syrians frightening and strange? (w96 5/15 8 ¶3) A

   Your answer

   

   Courtesy of Musée du Louvre, Paris

2. 2. Describe how leprosy can affect a person. (it “Leprosy” ¶3-5)

   Your answer

3. 3. Why did Elisha not accept Naaman’s gift? (w05 8/1 9 ¶2)

   Your answer

4. 4. Why did Elisha trust that Jehovah would forgive Naaman for bowing before the god Rimmon? (2 Ki. 5:18, 19; w05 8/1 9 ¶3) B

   Your answer

   

Reflect on the Lessons

• Naaman was a Syrian army chief who invaded Israel. Yet, Jehovah healed him. What does this teach you about Jehovah’s mercy and impartiality? C

  Your answer

  

• How does the example of the little Israelite girl encourage you to give a witness even when you feel afraid?

  Your answer

• In what other ways might you imitate the courage of the little Israelite girl?

  Your answer

Meditate on the Bigger Picture

• What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

  Your answer

• How does the account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?

  Your answer

• What would I like to ask the Israelite girl in the resurrection?a

  Your answer

Learn More

Was the little Israelite girl too insignificant to be named?

“Why Are Some Bible Characters Left Unnamed?” (w13 8/1 10)

Learn how young people today can be brave like the Israelite girl.

Jehovah Will Help You Be Bold (11:59)