I’ll admit, when I picked up this 1908 drama, I expected something a bit dusty. But Henry Van Dyke’s The House of Rimmon is a compact, powerful punch of a play. It’s based on a brief biblical story but expands it into a full exploration of crisis, faith, and pride.

The Story

The plot follows Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. He’s a national hero, but he’s hiding a terrible secret: leprosy. With no cure in sight, a captive Israelite servant in his household suggests he seek help from the prophet Elisha in Samaria. Desperate, Naaman travels with great pomp, expecting a grand ceremony. Instead, Elisha doesn’t even meet him face-to-face. He sends a message telling Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman is furious! The muddy Jordan is beneath him. He wanted a spectacular healing, not a humiliating bath. The entire play hinges on this moment of choice. With his loyal officers watching and his own pride screaming, Naaman has to decide if he will swallow his arrogance and obey the simple, strange instruction.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was how modern the central struggle feels. Naaman isn’t a villain; he’s a successful person whose very success has built walls around him. His rage at Elisha’s prescription isn’t just about the river—it’s about his entire worldview being overturned. The play asks a tough question: When faced with a solution that requires us to abandon our pride and our public persona, do we have the courage to do it? Van Dyke writes the supporting characters, especially Naaman’s clear-eyed servants, with warmth and wit. They become the voice of reason, cutting through his bluster. The dialogue is sharp, and the moral tension is real. You feel Naaman’s internal war.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for anyone who loves character-driven stories about moral dilemmas. If you enjoy classic plays with big ideas—think Shaw or Ibsen, but shorter and more direct—you’ll find a lot here. It’s also great for book clubs looking for a short, discussion-rich read. The themes of humility, faith versus ritual, and the cost of integrity are timeless. Don’t let the 1908 publication date fool you; the battle Naaman fights in his soul is one we all recognize.