What was the disease of the bones that affected King David?
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.


CONCLUSIONS
This report demonstrates that the roots of contemporary modern gerontology can be traced to Biblical times.
Ben-Noun
Liubov Louba
LL
Department of Family Medicine, Faculty for Health Sciences, Soroka Hospital, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. L-bennun@zahav.net.il
D001633:Bible; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000266:history*; D005197:Famous Persons; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000266:history; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male