King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:31 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:31 in the King James Version says “And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and f...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 20:31 · KJV

Context

29

And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

30

So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.

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.

32

And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.

33

Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

Read 2 Chronicles 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God fights for those who seek Him in crisis. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
מָלַ֣ךְ1 of 19

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֖ט2 of 19

“And Jehoshaphat”

H3092

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

עַל3 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְהוּדָ֑ה4 of 19

“over Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

בֶּן5 of 19

“old”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שְׁלֹשִׁים֩6 of 19

“he was thirty”

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

וְחָמֵ֤שׁ7 of 19

“and five”

H2568

five

שָׁנָה֙8 of 19

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַ֣ךְ9 of 19

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

וְעֶשְׂרִ֨ים10 of 19

“twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וְחָמֵ֤שׁ11 of 19

“and five”

H2568

five

שָׁנָה֙12 of 19

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַ֣ךְ13 of 19

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם14 of 19

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְשֵׁ֣ם15 of 19

“name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אִמּ֔וֹ16 of 19

“And his mother's”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

עֲזוּבָ֖ה17 of 19

“was Azubah”

H5806

azubah, the name of two israelitesses

בַּת18 of 19

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

שִׁלְחִֽי׃19 of 19

“of Shilhi”

H7977

shilchi, an israelite

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 20:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 20:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 22:41-44

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 20 →

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