Jehoshaphat ruled Judah for twenty-five years from Jerusalem, seeking to guide God’s people toward faithfulness.
Jehoshaphat’s story continues with the record that “Now Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi” (2 Chronicles 20:31). The mention that “Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah” (v.31) situates him as King of the southern kingdom, following the line of King Asa, his father. The reference to Judah is significant because it reminds us that after the united monarchy of Saul, David, and Solomon, the tribes divided, forming the kingdom of Israel in the north and the kingdom of Judah in the south (1 Kings 12:19-20). By stating the age of King Jehoshaphat at his accession—thirty-five years old—the verse emphasizes both his maturity when he assumed the throne and the importance of continued righteous leadership in a land prone to idolatry and outside influence.
The text acknowledges that “He reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years” (v.31). Jerusalem, as the capital of Judah, stood as the focal point of worship and government, being the location of the temple dedicated to the LORD. Geographically, Jerusalem is in the hill country of Judah, fortified and chosen by King David centuries earlier. Jehoshaphat’s reign (ca. 873-849 BC) overlapped historically with some of Israel’s notable events, offering him both challenges and opportunities to uphold devotion to God. His commitment to religious reform resonates in other parts of 2 Chronicles, showing a dedication reminiscent of his father Asa, who also sought to rid the land of idol worship (2 Chronicles 14:2-5). By including the detail of his mother’s identity—“And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi” (v.31)—Scripture highlights the lineage and rightful succession in the Davidic line.
From a broader biblical perspective, Jehoshaphat’s life foreshadows the need for wise and God-centered rulers, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16). Just as Jehoshaphat endeavored to keep his nation aligned with the LORD despite external pressures, so Jesus constantly calls His followers to honor God above all else (Matthew 6:33). These tie-ins remind readers that the legacy of kings in the Old Testament, including their reign lengths, mother’s names, and places of rule, points to the larger tapestry of God orchestrating history for His purposes.
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2 Chronicles 20:31 meaning
Jehoshaphat’s story continues with the record that “Now Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi” (2 Chronicles 20:31). The mention that “Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah” (v.31) situates him as King of the southern kingdom, following the line of King Asa, his father. The reference to Judah is significant because it reminds us that after the united monarchy of Saul, David, and Solomon, the tribes divided, forming the kingdom of Israel in the north and the kingdom of Judah in the south (1 Kings 12:19-20). By stating the age of King Jehoshaphat at his accession—thirty-five years old—the verse emphasizes both his maturity when he assumed the throne and the importance of continued righteous leadership in a land prone to idolatry and outside influence.
The text acknowledges that “He reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years” (v.31). Jerusalem, as the capital of Judah, stood as the focal point of worship and government, being the location of the temple dedicated to the LORD. Geographically, Jerusalem is in the hill country of Judah, fortified and chosen by King David centuries earlier. Jehoshaphat’s reign (ca. 873-849 BC) overlapped historically with some of Israel’s notable events, offering him both challenges and opportunities to uphold devotion to God. His commitment to religious reform resonates in other parts of 2 Chronicles, showing a dedication reminiscent of his father Asa, who also sought to rid the land of idol worship (2 Chronicles 14:2-5). By including the detail of his mother’s identity—“And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi” (v.31)—Scripture highlights the lineage and rightful succession in the Davidic line.
From a broader biblical perspective, Jehoshaphat’s life foreshadows the need for wise and God-centered rulers, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16). Just as Jehoshaphat endeavored to keep his nation aligned with the LORD despite external pressures, so Jesus constantly calls His followers to honor God above all else (Matthew 6:33). These tie-ins remind readers that the legacy of kings in the Old Testament, including their reign lengths, mother’s names, and places of rule, points to the larger tapestry of God orchestrating history for His purposes.