Chapter LXXI.
KING OZIAS, WISHING TO USURP THE PRIESTLY
FUNCTIONS, IS STRICKEN WITH LEPROSY.
[2 Paralip. 26. 4 Kings 15.]
OZIAS [1] was one of the few faithful kings who reigned in Juda. He reigned fifty-two years, and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. And God directed him in all things. Unhappily prosperity made him proud, and he carried his audacity so far as to usurp the priestly office [2]. One day, going into the Temple[3], he went to burn incense upon the altar. Eighty priests, with Azarias, the High Priest, at their head, opposed the king, and prevented him from burning incense.
Ozias, being very angry, threatened to strike the priests with the censer which he held in his hand. No sooner had he raised his hand than he himself was stricken with leprosy[4], which appeared on his forehead before all the priests. And they, seized with horror at this sudden and awful punishment, took hold of the king and put him out of the Temple.
The king was terrified, and feeling the leprosy spread all over his body hastened away from the Temple to shut himself up in a palace apart from all others. He remained a leper till the day of his death. Such was the fearful punishment which God inflicted on an otherwise faithful king, because of his sacrilegious attempt to perform an office that belonged only to priests.
COMMENTARY.
After pride comes a fall. The case of Ozias, like that of Saul, shows us that it is easy for a man to be made proud by prosperity, power or riches. To be king, no longer satisfied him; he must be
- ↑ Ozias. Ozias, also called Azarias, overcame the enemies of Juda, and brought his kingdom to a state of great prosperity.
- ↑ Priestly office. He wished to be both priest and king as the heathens were; and to be, therefore, not only the temporal head, but also the spiritual head of his people.
- ↑ The Temple. Into the Sanctuary, which, according to the Law', only the priests might enter.
- ↑ Leprosy. On account of the contagion, the king had till his death to live in a house apart, and might not even enter the outer court of the Temple. The throne passed to his son, Joatham.
