The House of Naaman the Leper, Damascus
The House of Naaman the Leper, Damascus Outside the east gate of the city of Damascus, on the banks of Abana, is the leper hospital, which tradition tells us occupies the site of Naaman’s house. Naaman was commander-in-chief of the armies of Damascus. He was one of the greatest generals and greatest men of his age, but “he was a leper.” In some warlike expedition he carried away a little Jewish maid, who became his slave. Amid his sufferings the little maid exclaimed, “Would God my lord were with the prophet [Elisha] that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.” Naaman went, but Elisha did not condescend to see him. He simply sent him a message saying, “ Go wash in the Jordan.” The proud Damascene was indignant. He expected that the prophet would come out “and call on the name of the Lord his God , and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in the...