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What Was the Disease of the Bones That Affected King David?

^a Department of Family Medicine, Faculty for Health Sciences, Soroka Hospital, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Correspondence: Liubov Ben-Noun, P.O.B 572 Kiryat- Gat 82104, Israel E-mail: L-bennun{at}zahav.net.il.

Decision Editor: John E. Morley, MB, BCh

Background. Elderly people have suffered from pain in their bones, which may be associated with various diseases, for thousands of years.

Methods. This report analyzes the disease that affected the Biblical King David, the second and greatest of Israel's Kings, who ruled the country 3000 years ago.

Results. The sentences "My strength failed...and my bones are consumed," and "My bones wasted away through my anguished roaring all day long" indicate that King David suffered from osteoporosis, which affected his bones. Among the various diseases that may be associated with osteoporosis, the most likely are senile osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, or malignant disease. Among these diseases, the diagnosis of malignancy is the most acceptable.

Conclusion. This report demonstrates that the roots of contemporary modern gerontology can be traced to Biblical times.

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