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. (2 Kings 15:5)
For a fuller account of this incident see 2 Chron. 26:16-21. Azariah was evidently lifted up by pride because of his successes in war. While endeavoring to offer incense in the Temple he was smitten with leprosy.
Several house.
That is, a separate house. Hebrew law required that lepers should dwell alone, “without the camp” (Lev. 13:46).
Over the house.
Jotham became regent, ruling the nation from the time that his father was smitten with leprosy.
Judging the people.
The king was the supreme judge of the land. Jotham now assumed all the responsibilities of kingship in the place of his father, although the latter continued to be reckoned as reigning.