Definition: And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son [was] over the house, judging the people of the land.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 15:5 together. It’s a pretty intense passage about a king and his punishment. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a period of severe hardship for King Jotham after his father, Ahab, died. It’s essentially a story of a king who was severely punished – and left to dwell alone – because he wasn’t handling things well. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD smote the king…” : This means God directly intervened and inflicted punishment on King Jotham. “Smote” is a strong word, suggesting a significant and forceful action. “…so that he was a leper unto the day of his death…” : This is a key part. “Leper” in this context refers to a person who has been afflicted with a disease causing skin discoloration. It suggests a deep spiritual affliction – essentially, a broken spirit. The verse says that Jotham’s punishment was designed to last until his death. He wasn't meant to live long. “and dwelt in a several house.” : This is unusual and somewhat mysterious. “Several house” could mean he lived alone, or it might suggest he was living in a small, isolated dwelling – perhaps a temporary refuge. It’s not clearly defined. “And Jotham the king’s son [was] over the house…” : This identifies the person responsible for this punishment as Jotham's son. This is important because it emphasizes that this specific son was the one who caused this suffering. “…judging the people of the land.” : This describes his role as a ruler, and his task was to oversee the well-being of his people. Overall Meaning - A Warning & a Shift in Leadership: The verse paints a picture of a king who made poor decisions, perhaps due to pride or self-indulgence. His actions led to a period of hardship for everyone – including himself and potentially the kingdom. It’s a cautionary tale about the importance of righteous leadership and careful decision-making. The verse implies that Jotham needed to repent (change his ways) and find a way to restore trust in his people. In short, this verse is telling us that Jotham's reign was marked by suffering because he wasn’t good at leading and wasn’t making the right choices. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points further? Provide a more detailed context about the time period this verse came from? Discuss what this verse might symbolize in biblical storytelling?