What about Azubah?

 

Azubah, not a familiar name to most I’m sure, but for me and my family, we knew that name well. Azubah was the name of one of my aunts.

The name Azubah appears in 1 Chronicles 2:18-19, as the name of Caleb’s wife, and in 1 Kings 22:42 and 2 Chronicles 20:31, king Jehoshaphat’s mother.

Neither of these women is afforded any extraordinary accolades, however, the influence the king’s mother must have had on him must not be overlooked.

Jehoshaphat ruled over the country of Judah. He was 35 years old when he became king, and he ruled 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. – 2 Chronicles 20:31 (ERV)

You see, king Jehoshaphat was outstanding for his godliness and he, understanding the importance of knowing the only true God, sent out princes, priests and Levites to teach the people the Law of the Lord.

During the third year of Jehoshaphat’s rule, he sent his leaders to teach in the towns of Judah…These leaders, Levites, and priests taught the people in Judah. They had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them. They went through all the towns of Judah and taught the people. – (2 Chronicles 17:7&9 (ERV)

It’s no secret that mothers, by far, have the most influence on their children and just as my Aunt Azuba impacted the lives of her children, there is no doubt that Jehoshaphat’s mother, Azubah, would have impacted his.

Other than being the mother of Jehoshaphat, the wife of king Asa and the daughter of Shilhi, we aren’t told much more about Azubah. So, everything else we can garner about her is pure supposition based solely on the uprightness of her son.

Taking a cue from Jehoshaphat, we can easily attribute the godly characteristics he displayed to his mother Azubah.

Azubah was not in the spotlight but to be the wife of a king who fought against idolatry and the mother of a king who destroyed all the pagan places of worship and the symbols of the goddess Asherah in Judah (2 Chronicles 17:6 GNT) and ensured that the Law of the Lord was taught throughout the land, says a great deal about this woman without saying a word about her.

This barely mentioned woman was a queen who birthed a legacy by raising a son who walked by faith at all costs, obeyed godly counsel, was unyielding in his commitment to righteousness, unwavering in his dependence on God, and trusted wholeheartedly in God’s faithfulness to provide, to protect and to give victory.

Jehoshaphat’s prayer, recorded in 2 Chronicles 20 gives credence to his faith in God.

O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless against this great multitude which is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You. – 2 Chronicles 20:12 (AMP)

Surely, Azubah would have been the one to instil all these virtues into her son; she must’ve been the one to teach him not to give into failure, defeat or limitations.

Azubah must have been the one who taught Jehoshaphat about God and the importance of developing and maintaining a sound relationship with Him.

As the mother of a future king, Azubah would have prepared her son to carry the weight of a nation, not from a military standpoint but through compassion, love and treating people fairly no matter their social standing.

Beloved, the bible did not give us much to work with regarding Azubah, but the fact that she was named let’s us know that she played an essential role in the reformation and reshaping of Judah as a wife and a mother of kings.

Azubah must have possessed a silent strength and resilience. There is much we can learn from such a woman who left us a great example of godliness in her son, Jehoshaphat.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “What about Azubah?” © 2026 October 9, 2026