The central character is the first surprise. In the preceding long narrative from Joshua to this point, positive incidents initiated by non-Israelites or from outside the land of Israel have been rare.20 With previous conflict between Israel and Aram, the opening statement that Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram arouses expectation of some trouble. The favourable description of an enemy, a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, would not be welcomed by the first