2 Chronicles 20:31

¶ And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: [he was] thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

And Jehoshaphat {H3092} reigned {H4427} over Judah {H3063}: he was thirty {H7970} and five {H2568} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and he reigned {H4427} twenty {H6242} and five {H2568} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}. And his mother's {H517} name {H8034} was Azubah {H5806} the daughter {H1323} of Shilhi {H7977}.

Y'hoshafat ruled over Y'hudah; he was thirty-five years old when he began his reign, and he ruled twenty-five years in Yerushalayim. His mother's name was 'Azuvah the daughter of Shilchi.

So Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.

And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:31 provides essential biographical details about King Jehoshaphat, summarizing the start of his reign after the significant events detailed earlier in the chapter. This verse serves as a historical marker, anchoring his rule within the chronology of the kings of Judah.

Context of 2 Chronicles 20:31

This verse follows the remarkable account of God's miraculous deliverance of Judah from the Moabite, Ammonite, and Edomite confederacy, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. After such a profound display of divine intervention, the Chronicler shifts back to the standard biographical summary for King Jehoshaphat. He was a king who "walked in the first ways of his father David" (2 Chronicles 17:3), generally considered a righteous king, though not without his flaws (e.g., his alliance with Ahab, 2 Chronicles 18:1). His reign is also chronicled in 1 Kings 22:41-50.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Historical Precision: The Bible's meticulous attention to detail in recording the lives and reigns of its figures. The age of ascension, length of reign, and even the mother's name (often a significant detail in ancient genealogies) are all recorded, underscoring the historical reliability of the biblical narrative.
  • The King's Identity and Lineage: Jehoshaphat's identity as king of Judah is firmly established. The mention of his mother, Azubah, daughter of Shilhi, is common in biblical genealogies, providing a fuller picture of the royal lineage and affirming his place in the Davidic line.
  • Transition and Summary: This verse serves as a transition from specific events to a broader summary of Jehoshaphat's 25-year rule. It marks the ongoing continuity of the kingdom of Judah after significant challenges.

Linguistic Insights

While this verse is primarily a factual record, the mention of "Judah" consistently reminds readers of the divided kingdom period following the reign of Solomon. The Southern Kingdom, Judah, remained loyal to the Davidic line, whereas the Northern Kingdom, Israel, often had a succession of unrighteous kings. The names themselves, "Jehoshaphat" (meaning "Yahweh has judged") and "Azubah" (meaning "forsaken"), while interesting, do not carry significant theological weight in this specific context beyond their role as personal identifiers.

Practical Application

Even seemingly mundane historical details in Scripture hold value:

  • God's Sovereignty Over History: This verse, like many others listing kings and their details, reminds us that God works through historical events and human leaders, orchestrating time and circumstances according to His sovereign plan. Every detail, though seemingly small, is part of a larger divine narrative.
  • The Importance of Legacy: Jehoshaphat's reign is remembered for both his faithfulness and his missteps. This detail encourages reflection on the legacy we build and the impact we have over the course of our lives, whether in leadership or daily living.
  • Attention to Detail: The precision of the biblical record can inspire us to value accuracy and thoroughness in our own lives and endeavors.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 22:41

    ¶ And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.

  • 1 Kings 22:44

    And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.
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