Naaman kissed the hand of the king and went forth from his presence. Upon the day following his interview with Benhadad, Naaman, in great pomp and splendor, set forth upon his journey to Samaria. He carried with him ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold (about sixty thousand dollars) and ten changes of costly raiment with which to reward Elisha.
The first blush of the rising sun lay upon the city of Damascus as the magnificent caravan of Naaman passed through its gates. Naaman and his retinue journeyed over the uplands of Bashan, through the valley of Jordan, and upon the fifth day stood before the gates of Samaria.
Then Naaman, ordering the caravan to halt, called one of his servants to him and said:
"Send ahead a messenger to Jehoram, king of Israel, announcing that Naaman, the great Syrian general, art approaching with his retinue and desireth audience with him."
A fair-haired lad, robed in scarlet and mounted upon a jet-black horse of wonderful swiftness, bore Naaman's message to the king. So when the caravan reached the palace, Jehoram was waiting to receive Naaman.
Tall and lithe of form, straight of feature was the Israelite king. The long hair, bound by the jeweled crown, was black as the raven's wing. There was a flush upon his dark brow and a troubled look in his eyes as Naaman entered his presence.
"Thou art Naaman, general in the Syrian Army," he said, "and thou seeketh speech with me?"
"Yes, I am Naaman," replied the Syrian, as he bent his proud head before Israel's dark king. "I have journeyed from Damascus, bearing this letter from Benhadad, king of all Syria to Jehoram, king of Israel," and taking the parchment from his breast, he presented it to Jehoram.
The latter read the letter and his face turned white. Lifting his eyes, angry and disturbed, he fixed them upon Naaman.