And the LORD afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, so that he lived in a separate house while his son Jotham had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land. And the LORD afflictedThe phrase begins with the acknowledgment of divine sovereignty. The Hebrew root for "afflicted" is "נָגַע" (naga), which means to touch or strike. This indicates a direct action from God, emphasizing His control over the affairs of men, especially kings. In the conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a reminder of God's holiness and justice, as well as His willingness to discipline those in leadership who stray from His commandments. the king with leprosy
Leprosy, or "צָרַעַת" (tzaraath) in Hebrew, was considered a severe and isolating disease in ancient Israel. It was often seen as a physical manifestation of spiritual impurity or divine judgment. The affliction of the king with leprosy underscores the seriousness of sin and the consequences of disobedience to God. Historically, leprosy required the afflicted to live apart from the community, symbolizing the separation sin causes between humanity and God. until the day he died
This phrase highlights the permanence of the king's condition, serving as a sobering reminder of the lasting impact of sin and divine judgment. It suggests that the king's repentance, if any, did not lead to physical healing, illustrating the gravity of his actions. From a theological standpoint, it emphasizes the need for continual faithfulness and the potential for earthly consequences even when spiritual forgiveness is sought. and he lived in a separate house
The king's separation due to leprosy is significant both physically and symbolically. The Hebrew term for "separate" is "בָּדָד" (badad), meaning alone or isolated. This isolation reflects the broader biblical theme of sin leading to separation from God and community. Archaeologically, separate dwellings for lepers have been found, confirming the historical practice of isolating those with contagious diseases. So Jotham the king’s son had charge of the palace
Jotham's role as the caretaker of the palace indicates a transfer of authority and responsibility. This transition highlights the importance of preparedness and the role of the next generation in leadership. In a conservative Christian view, it underscores the biblical principle of training up children in the ways of the Lord so they are ready to assume roles of responsibility when needed. and governed the people of the land
Jotham's governance during his father's affliction demonstrates the continuity of leadership despite personal or national crises. The Hebrew word for "governed" is "שָׁפַט" (shaphat), meaning to judge or rule. This reflects the biblical mandate for leaders to act justly and righteously. It serves as an encouragement for believers to remain steadfast and faithful in their duties, trusting in God's provision and guidance even in challenging times. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, who exercises judgment and mercy. 2. The King (Azariah/Uzziah)The king of Judah who was afflicted with leprosy as a divine judgment. 3. LeprosyA severe skin disease that rendered individuals ceremonially unclean and isolated. 4. JothamThe son of King Azariah, who took over the responsibilities of governing due to his father's condition. 5. Separate HouseThe place where the king lived in isolation due to his leprosy. Teaching Points Divine Judgment and MercyGod's affliction of the king with leprosy serves as a reminder of His holiness and the consequences of pride and disobedience. Leadership and ResponsibilityJotham's role in governing highlights the importance of responsible leadership, especially when stepping in during times of crisis. Isolation and CommunityThe king's isolation due to leprosy underscores the impact of sin and uncleanness on community and relationships. Humility and RepentanceThe account encourages believers to maintain humility and seek repentance to avoid the pitfalls of pride. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the affliction of leprosy on the king teach us about God's view of pride and disobedience? 2. How does Jotham's role in governing reflect the importance of preparedness and responsibility in leadership? 3. In what ways does the concept of ceremonial uncleanness in the Old Testament relate to our understanding of sin and separation from God today? 4. How can we apply the lessons of humility and repentance from King Uzziah's account to our own lives? 5. What other biblical examples can you find where God used physical affliction to bring about spiritual awareness or change? How do these examples relate to 2 Kings 15:5? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 13-14These chapters provide the laws concerning leprosy, highlighting the ceremonial uncleanness and the need for isolation, which connects to the king's condition. 2 Chronicles 26Offers a parallel account of King Uzziah's reign, including the reason for his leprosy—his pride and unlawful entry into the temple to burn incense. Isaiah 6:1Mentions the year of King Uzziah's death, providing a historical context for the prophet Isaiah's vision. People Abel, Ahaz, Amaziah, Amram, Aram, Argob, Arieh, Azaliah, Azariah, David, Elah, Gadi, Gileadites, Hoshea, Jabesh, Jecholiah, Jecoliah, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jerusha, Jotham, Maacah, Menahem, Naphtali, Nebat, Pekah, Pekahiah, Pul, Remaliah, Rezin, Shallum, Tappuah, Tiglathpileser, Tirzah, Uzziah, Zachariah, Zadok, ZechariahPlaces Abel-beth-maacah, Assyria, Damascus, Galilee, Gilead, Hazor, Ibleam, Ijon, Janoah, Jerusalem, Kedesh, Samaria, Syria, TirzahTopics Apart, Charge, Death, Died, Disease, Dwelleth, Dwelt, Governed, Governing, Household, Jotham, Judging, King's, Leper, Leprosy, Palace, Private, Separate, Separately, Several, Smiteth, Smote, StruckDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 15:5 5296 disabilities
5333 healing
5437 palaces 2 Kings 15:1-38 5366 king Library The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleMeditations Before Dinner and Supper.
Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as physic, or means which God hath ordained, to relieve and cure this natural infirmity and necessity of man. Use, therefore, to eat and to drink, rather to sustain and refresh the weakness of nature, than to satisfy the sensuality and delights of the flesh. Eat, therefore, to live, but live not to eat. There is no service so base, as for a man …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 15:5 NIV2 Kings 15:5 NLT2 Kings 15:5 ESV2 Kings 15:5 NASB2 Kings 15:5 KJV
2 Kings 15:5 Commentaries
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