22 He said, "All is well. My master has sent me, saying, 'Behold, even now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.'"
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
From mount Ephraim - Bethel and Gilgal 2-Kings 2:1, at both of which there were "schools of the prophets," were situated on Mount Ephraim.
A talent of silver - A large demand in respect of the pretended occasion; but small compared with the amount which Naaman had pressed on the prophet 2-Kings 5:4. Gehazi had to balance between his own avarice, on the one hand, and the fear of raising suspicion on the other.
And he said - שלום shalom. It is peace; all is right. This was a common mode of address and answer.
There be come to me from mount Ephraim - There was probably a school of the prophets at this mount.
And he said, all is well,.... He need give himself no uneasiness at the coming and sight of him:
my master hath sent me, saying, behold, even now there be come to me; just then, since he departed from him:
from Mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: where perhaps was a school of them:
give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments: which, as it was a downright lie, so highly improbable that Elisha should ask so large a sum of money, with two changes of raiment, for two young scholars, see 2-Kings 5:5 and which Naaman, with a little reflection, might have seen through; but his heart was so filled with gratitude for the benefit received, that he was glad of an opportunity, at any rate, of showing respect to the prophet.
*More commentary available at chapter level.