Frail Kings and Sacred History

Exploring the Narrative Function of Sickness in the Book of Chronicles

Hezekiah, from a German woodcut, 16th century.

In the most recent issue of BN (Biblische Notizen), the focus is “The Body, Sickness, and the Bible.” My contribution is a brief study of the presence and function of sickness in the narrative of Chronicles. The article is academic, but it’s not overly technical (focusing on the literary presentation rather than grammatical or historical analysis).

This was an interesting article to brainstorm, research, and communicate. Obviously, much more could be said about sickness and suffering in the story of Scripture, but I tried to focus on how this theme shows up in the book of Chronicles in particular.

In this way, the article is a small contribution to showing the significance of seeing Chronicles as a beautiful and sophisticated biblical book on its own terms (and not only as a random supplement to Samuel/Kings!).

Here’s the gist/abstract:

This article explores the narrative function of sickness or illness in the book of Chronicles. In order to maintain this focus, I will first sketch the shape and message of Chronicles as a discrete narrative on its own terms and also as a biblical text deeply embedded in the literary and theological context of the Hebrew Bible. I will then consider instances of pain and physical sickness in the book. In light of this textual analysis, I suggest that the portrayal of sickness is a minor but meaningful aspect of the Chronicler’s compositional strategy in his comprehensive treatment of Israel’s history.

Here’s how I unfold the study:

1. Shape and Message of Chronicles

2. The Primal Presence of Pain in the World

3. The Plague of Divine Judgment

4. Illness and the Path to Exile

   1. Asa’s Feet (2 Chron 16:11–14)

   2. Jehoram’s Intestines (2 Chron 21:18–20)

   3. Uzziah’s Skin (2 Chron 26:19–23)

   4. Hezekiah’s Sickness (2 Chron 32:24–33)

5. Reflections on the Narrative Function of Sickness in Chronicles

Here’s how I wrap things up:

Sickness is also not monocausal in this narrative world. Pain could be a result of living in a world marked by sin and decay. Suffering might also stem from a form of divine judgment for unfaithfulness. Sometimes the theological focus is on the origin of the disease (e.g., the Lord’s direct affliction of Uzziah’s skin) and at other times on the response of the one who is sick (e.g., Asa’s stubborn resistance and Hezekiah’s humble repentance).

Breaches of faith that lead to physical and immediate consequences often occur in direct proximity to the temple, involve the quality of the people’s worship in Jerusalem, and within earshot of a prophet of the Lord. During the exile, the temple has been destroyed, the people have been dispersed, and the words of prophetic judgment ring loud.

Part of the narrative function of pain and sickness in Chronicles is to affirm this judgment but also help a reader hear the subtle yet distinct chords of hope. Even in the unstoppable movement toward exile, a faithful king who responds to the word of the Lord with fear and trembling can bring about the blessed life of peace with God.

This theologically loaded message could serve as a word of exhortation for readers seeking to be faithful in post-exilic and post-modern times alike.

NB:

• If you would like to read the whole thing, DM me for a PDF.

• Reference: Spellman, Ched. “The Narrative Function of Sickness in Chronicles.” Biblische Notizen 208 (2026): 47–58.

• You can see the other articles in this issue here.