The subject was the servant of Elisha the prophet, standing before him and going on his errands. He was present when the prophet promised the Shunammite woman a son, and was sent ahead with the staff when that son later died.

When Naaman the Syrian was cleansed of his leprosy and offered Elisha a rich reward, the prophet refused it altogether, that it might be known the healing was of God and not for gain.

But the subject said in his heart that his master had spared this Aramean, and ran after Naaman. He asked, in Elisha's name, for a talent of silver and two changes of clothing for supposed guests, and Naaman pressed two talents upon him.

The subject hid the goods and came in to stand before his master. Elisha asked where he had been, and he said, "Your servant went nowhere." But the prophet said his heart had gone with the man, and this was no time to take money and garments.

Therefore the leprosy of Naaman would cling to the subject and to his offspring forever, and he went out from Elisha's presence leprous as snow. Yet he is later found recounting to the king of Israel the great things Elisha had done.