King Uzziah Storms into the Temple to Burn Incense and Is Struck with Leprosy

King Uzziah has been strong and successful for decades. His pride destroys him. He enters the temple of God to burn incense on the altar — a privilege reserved for the consecrated priests, never for kings. The chief priest Azariah confronts him with eighty priests: 'It is not your duty, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful.' Uzziah, holding the incense censer, rages at them. While he is raging, leprosy breaks out on his forehead. The priests see it and rush him out. Uzziah himself hurries to leave — because the Lord has struck him. He lives in a separate house as a leper until the day he dies, excluded from the temple forever.