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 22:42KJV
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1 Kings 22:42 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 22:42 mean?

1 Kings 22:42 gives basic information about Jehoshaphat, stating that he became king at age thirty-five, ruled for twenty-five years in Jerusalem, and that his mother was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi. This verse introduces Jehoshaphat’s reign and family background as part of the historical record of Judah’s kings.

The verse is part of a summary section where the biblical writer records key facts about each king’s rule. It tells readers who Jehoshaphat was, how long he reigned, and where he ruled. Mentioning his mother and her family roots was a common way to establish legitimacy and trace royal lineage in ancient Israel’s records.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 22:42

  • יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yehoshafat): This is the Hebrew name for Jehoshaphat, meaning "Yahweh has judged." The name itself reflects a theological idea common in Israel’s royal names.
  • עָשָׂרִים (esrim) and חָמֵשׁ (chamesh): These are the Hebrew words for "twenty" and "five," used here to specify Jehoshaphat’s age and the length of his reign. The repetition of these numbers highlights the importance of precise historical record-keeping.
  • יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yerushalayim): This is the Hebrew name for Jerusalem, the capital city, emphasizing that Jehoshaphat’s rule was centered in the heart of Judah’s religious and political life.
  • אֲזוּבָה (Azuvah): The name of Jehoshaphat’s mother, meaning "forsaken" or "abandoned." Including her name and lineage (בַּת־שִׁלְחִי, bat-Shilhi, "daughter of Shilhi") was a way to record royal family connections.

Why 1 Kings 22:42 matters

  • The verse clears up who Jehoshaphat’s mother was, which helps trace the royal family line and shows the importance of maternal ancestry in Judah’s monarchy.
  • By stating Jehoshaphat’s age and the length of his reign, the verse helps readers place his rule in the timeline of Judah’s history and compare it with other kings.
  • The mention of Jerusalem as the seat of his reign connects Jehoshaphat to the central place of worship and governance for the people of Judah, reinforcing the city’s ongoing importance in the biblical narrative.

Where else these words appear

“Shilhi” Hebrew H7977 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“Azubah” Hebrew H5806 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 2:18 And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth: her sons are these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:19 And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto him Ephrath, which bare him Hur.
  • 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.

“Jehoshaphat” Hebrew H3092 · used in 75 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
  • 2 Kings 3:7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.