1 Kings 22:42

Jehoshaphat 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.

1 Kings 22:42 (KJV)

Context

This verse appears in the royal records of Judah, introducing the reign of King Jehoshaphat. He was the son of Asa and the fourth king of Judah after the kingdom divided. The surrounding narrative in 1 Kings 22 describes his alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, in an attempt to retake Ramoth-gilead from the Syrians. This biographical formula marks a transition from Ahab’s story to the summary of Jehoshaphat’s rule, emphasizing the continuity of the Davidic line in Judah.

Meaning

The verse records three specific details: Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem, and his mother’s name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. From these numbers, we can calculate that he died at about sixty years of age. The mention of his mother’s name reflects the biblical practice of acknowledging maternal lineage in royal records, even though the Bible gives no further details about Azubah or her family.

Biblical connections

The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 20:31 records the same biographical information, confirming the historical consistency of the biblical record. The surrounding context in 1 Kings 22:43 indicates that Jehoshaphat followed the ways of his father Asa and did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, though the high places were not removed. This pattern of recording kings’ ages, reign lengths, and mothers’ names appears throughout the books of Kings, showing that God values the historical particulars of His people’s lives.

Application

Jehoshaphat’s example encourages leaders to serve with faithfulness and integrity, regardless of their age or the challenges they face. His relatively young accession reminds us that God can use individuals at any stage of life. The mention of Azubah acknowledges the influence of mothers in shaping their children’s character, even when their stories are not fully told. Parents can draw inspiration from this and recognize the lasting impact of nurturing children in godly ways.

Reflection

The careful recording of historical details reminds us that the Bible is not only a collection of spiritual teachings but also a reliable historical document. This accuracy strengthens our confidence in the Scriptures and their accounts. As we read such records, we can trust that God is at work in the ordinary details of life, including our own ages, families, and years of service.