6 - Royal Illness and Arrogance

Summary

The two cases of royal illness examined in this chapter are framed by arrogance. First, Uzziah’s affliction with צרעת is preceded by his arrogance in attempting to take over the priestly duties at the temple (2 Chr 26:16–23). Second, arrogance plays a role in Hezekiah’s illness when the king provokes divine wrath by not responding with gratitude to being healed (2 Chr 32:24–25). This chapter shows how the Chronicler expands on the incident of Uzziah’s צרעת with the purpose of making a point about the destructive nature of sacrilege (מעל) and the limits of royal involvement in the temple cult. For Hezekiah’s illness, the Chronicler highlights the importance of humility (כנע) when faced with divine wrath. The respective portrayals of Uzziah and Hezekiah teach us about the correct response to divine anger while placing into sharper focus the danger of hubris that comes with power and success. Lastly, sacrilege (מעל) at the temple and a lack of humility (כנע) on the part of the king also play a role in the last days of Judah insofar as the events surrounding the illness of Uzziah and Hezekiah resonate with the eventual annihilation of Judah and Jerusalem.