2 Chronicles 26:20
And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him. And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.
Uzziah in wrathful rebellion against the united protest of the priests in authority presumptuously entered the sanctuary to burn incense, attempting to profane it. The Lord suddenly struck him for that act, and leprosy appeared on his forehead as divine judgment. The priests recognized the sign of God's judgment and thrust him out, and in dismay he himself hasted to go out because the Lord had smitten him.
In dismay he fled and never again entered the temple courts, remaining a leper until his death some years later, so his presumptuous act marred the closing years of his reign. Even as king he was not exempt from the law of leprosy, for after examination by the priests and declaration of leprosy he was cut off from the congregation. He had to relinquish the scepter and leave society to live apart isolated from his people.
Among the Jews leprosy was regarded as a divine judgment for sin and as a symbol of sin. Neither his exalted position as king nor his long life of service excused his presumptuous sin. His punishment remains a living example and warning against departing from a plain Thus saith the Lord and plain command of the Lord and incurring the judgment of Heaven.