Would you like to see what we have written on a subject? Use the search below.

[If you purchase anything on this site, I may make a commission. Disclosure Policy]

Loving Your Enemies:
Naaman's Slave Girl

This little slave girl gets only two verses of Scripture, but what a message they bring about being a blessing while loving your enemies!

Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:2-3, NIV

This girl is amazing. Think about her story for a moment.

She was a young girl in Israel. Like every young girl, she had friends and dreams for the future. Then, one day, it all shattered. Was she out walking, in the wrong place at the wrong time, when the raiders came by? Did her parents spend the rest of their lives wondering what had happened to her? Or was her town raided and her parents maybe killed in front of her? We have no way of knowing. But whatever the details, it was a traumatic and life-changing event that swept her from a free-born Israelite to a slave girl in a foreign country.

Sitemap - Free Water Of The Word Newsletter - Statement Of Faith - Donate
Follow us on social media for daily Scripture comments and more at MeWe, Facebook or YouTube.

man and woman studying the Bible which comes alive to them

How would you have felt? Bitter? Angry? Resentful? Would you keep believing in God, or would you turn your back on Him for allowing these horrible things to happen to you? What would have been your response?

This young girl kept her faith. She knew she served the living God. At some level, she understood God's goodness and sovereignty. Somehow God was at work. She could keep loving Him and serving others, no matter her circumstances. How do we know this was her attitude? By her actions.

Consider. One day, as she went about her duties, she overheard her mistress speaking with her husband, Naaman. Naaman, if not the man who had captured her, certainly the one who had bought her, had a problem. He had developed leprosy. Although he was an army commander, they were about to cut him off from people to prevent the contagious disease from spreading. His future was darker than hers. His wife was in tears. Her life was shattered, too.

If you were this young girl, what thoughts would go through your head? Thoughts of blessing? I know what I would be thinking. Serves you right. God is judging you for what you have done to me and others. Maybe a less skilled commander will take your place.

I Can Be A Blessing!
I Can Show God's Love To My Enemies!

If those thoughts flashed through her mind, she quickly dispelled them. We can see her mind working. My mistress’s husband has a problem, and I know the answer. I can help. I can be a blessing. It seems as if she rushed to her mistress the first time she saw her alone and blurted out, “I know who can help! There is a prophet who can cure him! You don’t need to cry anymore!”

And there is no attempt at blackmail - “I’ll tell you if you let me go.” It is free, spontaneous. It was a joy to help, to serve, to be a blessing. This young girl had accepted God’s will for her life and was joyfully doing her best where she was, despite the circumstances.

Is this what Jesus meant when He said we were to love our enemies? Are we to follow the example of this girl whose name we will never know, yet who has a place in Scripture? Are we to joyfully bless others without considering how they may have hurt us?

We can learn from this young Israelite girl. We all face unpleasant circumstances, sometimes temporary, sometimes permanent. Sometimes they are life-altering. This little girl leads the way. Love God, trust Him, and be a blessing to everyone around you. This isn't possible if we live in bitterness, anger, or self-pity. Let us realize that God is in control. He only does good. Therefore, good must ultimately come out of our situation - if we maintain our relationship with Jesus and a healthy attitude.

Biblical References

2 Kings 5:2-3

Glenn Davis is a Christian author and Bible teacher whose work draws on more than 40 years of study, writing, and teaching in local churches. He has written 700+ articles, created five Bible courses, published three books, and shared 300+ Bible videos on YouTube. Readers can find his books on Amazon, follow his teaching on YouTube or visit Glenn Davis Books. Away from the keyboard, he enjoys time with family, reading, walking, and board or card games.

Follow us on social media for daily Scripture comments and more at MeWe, Facebook or YouTube.
Sitemap - Newsletter - Statement Of Faith - Donate

Please note: We no longer have the commenting feature [maybe again in the future]. Joshua Institute students who have questions or comments on their courses can use the contact button and mention the course name and lesson number in the email. Thank you. Glenn