Who was Jehoshaphat and how long did he reign over Judah?

Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah who followed after his father Asa. This passage says he began to reign when he was thirty‑five years old and he ruled for twenty‑five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi, which ties him into a known family line. He is remembered here mainly for doing what was right in the sight of the Lord and for walking in the same basic path of faith as his father. The full details of his rule were written in another record from his time.

What does it mean that Jehoshaphat did what was right in the sight of the Lord?

When the passage says Jehoshaphat did what was right in the sight of the Lord, it means that his general way of ruling pleased God. He followed the good example of his father Asa instead of copying the evil ways of many other kings. He kept close to the proper worship of God and did not turn aside to idols. This does not mean he was perfect in every choice, but that the main direction of his life and rule lined up with God’s commands and God’s honor.

Why were the high places not taken away during Jehoshaphat’s reign?

The text explains that the high places were not taken away because the people had not prepared their hearts to the God of their fathers. Some high places used for idol worship had been removed earlier, but others where the true God was worshiped still remained. People were attached to these places and were not ready to give them up and worship only at the place God had chosen. This shows that outward changes had happened, but many hearts were still hesitant and not fully yielded to God’s way.

What does it mean that the people had not prepared their hearts to the God of their fathers?

This line shows that many people in Judah were going along with the king’s reforms on the outside, but their inner desires and choices were not fully set on God. To prepare the heart means to turn to God on purpose, to accept his commands, and to be willing to follow his direction. Since they had not done this, they clung to old worship habits at the high places. The best king cannot finish a true reform if the people themselves do not willingly give their hearts to God.

How can this passage about high places and prepared hearts apply to believers today?

This passage reminds us that outward changes are not enough if the heart does not truly turn to God. The people in Judah kept certain high places because they were used to them and liked them, even though God had given a clear pattern for worship. In a similar way, someone today might keep patterns or habits that do not really fit God’s will, while still looking religious on the outside. The call here is to let God have the heart first, and then let that inner change shape our choices.

Who is Jehu son of Hanani mentioned in this passage?

Jehu son of Hanani is mentioned here as the one whose book recorded the rest of Jehoshaphat’s acts, from first to last. He was a prophet during these events and also appears in the story when he rebukes Jehoshaphat for joining with a wicked king. From this verse we learn that he not only spoke God’s messages but also wrote a record of the kings and what they did. That writing was respected in its day and was used as a source of historical information about the reign of Jehoshaphat.

What is the “book of the kings of Israel” mentioned in this passage?

The passage refers to the “book of the kings of Israel” as a place where Jehu son of Hanani is mentioned. This points to an official record or set of royal annals where the history of Israel’s kings was kept. The writer is saying that Jehu’s own book about his times was connected with, or known alongside, this larger record. For the first readers, this meant that if they wanted more detail about Jehoshaphat’s life and deeds, they could look in those written histories, which preserved more than this short summary.

What does this short summary teach about leadership and people’s hearts?

The summary shows that even a good leader like Jehoshaphat, who walked in the right way and did not turn from it, could not fully change people’s hearts. He could remove some wrong practices and guide the nation, but the people still held on to certain high places because they had not truly prepared their hearts for God. This teaches that true change is both outward and inward. Leaders can encourage and guide, but each person still needs to respond to God personally and willingly.

2Chr.20.31

2 Chronicles 20:31

King James Version (KJV)

¶ 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.

Chapter:

Context:

Summary of Jehoshaphat’s Reign

¶ 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 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.

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

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.