2 Chronicles 20:31
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to skim over the details of Jehoshaphat's reign, but notice the specific mention of his mother, Azubah. This isn't just trivia; it connects his lineage to a specific family line, reminding us that even in great leadership, our heritage and the people who shaped us matter. It grounds his story not just in his actions, but in his roots.
Thus Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Right before this, King Jehoshaphat faced an overwhelming enemy army, and instead of fighting, he sought God's help, leading to a miraculous victory. This verse summarizes the end of his reign, highlighting his stability and the length of his time on the throne after that pivotal moment of faith. It marks the close of his story, emphasizing his solid, God-honoring rule.
Not every king in Judah followed God's path. But some started well, and their reigns made a lasting difference. What does it look like to start a journey, or a reign, on solid ground?
A Foundation of Faith
The book of Chronicles often highlights the spiritual condition of Israel's kings. It's not just about dates and durations, but about their hearts. Jehoshaphat begins his reign at thirty-five, a mature age, and the text immediately places his reign in contrast to many others. He 'did what was right in the eyes of the LORD' (2 Chronicles 17:3-6). This wasn't a superficial act; it led him to actively pursue God and establish proper worship and teaching throughout the land. His reign wasn't perfect, but its foundation was a commitment to God's ways.
Family matters, and so does the heritage we pass on. What can we learn about legacy from the details of a king's lineage?
The Influence of Heritage
The verse mentions Jehoshaphat's mother, Azubah. While her own story isn't detailed here, her inclusion is significant. Chronicles emphasizes lineage and how heritage can influence a leader. Jehoshaphat's father, Asa, had a mixed but ultimately positive record. By mentioning Azubah, the text subtly points to the family lines and influences that shape individuals. A good legacy isn't just about personal achievement, but also about the spiritual heritage passed down and how we steward it.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
malak · Hebrew Verb/Noun
A sovereign ruler or monarch, often functioning as God's vice-regent in theocratic contexts, responsible for leading the people in obedience to the covenant.
The verse marking the beginning of Jehoshaphat's reign highlights his age and the length of his rule, but the surrounding events reveal he inherited a kingdom grappling with spiritual decay and complex political relationships with the divided northern kingdom of Israel.
c. 911 BC
Asa's Reign Begins
Jehoshaphat's grandfather, King Asa, begins his reign in Judah, known for seeking God and removing idols. His reign sets a spiritual precedent for the kingdom.
c. 873 BC
Reign of King Baasha of Israel
Baasha, king of the northern kingdom of Israel, wages war against Judah during Asa's reign. This ongoing conflict between the divided kingdoms is a backdrop for later events.
c. 872 BC
Asa Seeks Foreign Aid
Facing conflict with Israel, King Asa breaks with tradition by paying the Syrian king Ben-Hadad for military assistance, a move later criticized by prophets.
c. 870 BC
Death of King Asa
King Asa dies after a 41-year reign, leaving a legacy of reforms but also a flawed reliance on human alliances. His son Jehoshaphat is poised to take the throne.
c. 870 BC— this verse
Jehoshaphat Begins to Reign
Jehoshaphat, aged 35, ascends the throne of Judah. He begins a 25-year reign in Jerusalem, inheriting a kingdom with internal spiritual struggles and external threats.
c. 869-848 BC
Jehoshaphat's Reforms and Alliances
Jehoshaphat actively promotes religious observance and justice throughout Judah. Notably, he forms a strategic alliance with the northern kingdom of Israel through marriage.
c. 853 BC
Alliance with Ahab of Israel
Jehoshaphat allies with King Ahab of Israel, marrying his son Jehoram to Ahab's daughter Athaliah. This alliance, though politically expedient, leads to spiritual compromises.
This passage details Asa, Jehoshaphat's grandfather, and highlights the pattern of kings in Judah who reigned for significant periods, providing context for Jehoshaphat's long reign.
2 Chronicles 17:1-19This chapter describes Jehoshaphat's early reign and his faithful actions, including sending out teachers and strengthening his kingdom, setting the stage for the events in chapter 20.
2 Chronicles 20:20-22This section immediately precedes the verse you provided and recounts the miraculous victory God gave Jehoshaphat's people, directly linking the reign's stability to divine intervention and faithfulness.
Matthew 6:33This verse from the New Testament echoes the principle that seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first, a practice demonstrated by Jehoshaphat's reliance on God, leads to security and provision.
It's easy to skim over the details of Jehoshaphat's reign, but notice the specific mention of his mother, Azubah. This isn't just trivia; it connects his lineage to a specific family line, reminding us that even in great leadership, our heritage and the people who shaped us matter. It grounds his story not just in his actions, but in his roots.
Right before this, King Jehoshaphat faced an overwhelming enemy army, and instead of fighting, he sought God's help, leading to a miraculous victory. This verse summarizes the end of his reign, highlighting his stability and the length of his time on the throne after that pivotal moment of faith. It marks the close of his story, emphasizing his solid, God-honoring rule.
Right before this, King Jehoshaphat faced an overwhelming enemy army, and instead of fighting, he sought God's help, leading to a miraculous victory. This verse summarizes the end of his reign, highlighting his stability and the length of his time on the throne after that pivotal moment of faith. It marks the close of his story, emphasizing his solid, God-honoring rule.
"Thus Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi." — It's easy to skim over the details of Jehoshaphat's reign, but notice the specific mention of his mother, Azubah. This isn't just trivia; it connects his lineage to a specific family line, reminding…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
