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1 Chronicles 4:1-43 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 The sons H1121 of Judah; H3063 Pharez, H6557 Hezron, H2696 and Carmi, H3756 and Hur, H2354 and Shobal. H7732

2 And Reaiah H7211 the son H1121 of Shobal H7732 begat H3205 Jahath; H3189 and Jahath H3189 begat H3205 Ahumai, H267 and Lahad. H3855 These are the families H4940 of the Zorathites. H6882

3 And these were of the father H1 of Etam; H5862 Jezreel, H3157 and Ishma, H3457 and Idbash: H3031 and the name H8034 of their sister H269 was Hazelelponi: H6753

4 And Penuel H6439 the father H1 of Gedor, H1446 and Ezer H5829 the father H1 of Hushah. H2364 These are the sons H1121 of Hur, H2354 the firstborn H1060 of Ephratah, H672 the father H1 of Bethlehem. H1035

5 And Ashur H806 the father H1 of Tekoa H8620 had two H8147 wives, H802 Helah H2458 and Naarah. H5292

6 And Naarah H5292 bare H3205 him Ahuzam, H275 and Hepher, H2660 and Temeni, H8488 and Haahashtari. H326 These were the sons H1121 of Naarah. H5292

7 And the sons H1121 of Helah H2458 were, Zereth, H6889 and Jezoar, H6714 H3328 and Ethnan. H869

8 And Coz H6976 begat H3205 Anub, H6036 and Zobebah, H6637 and the families H4940 of Aharhel H316 the son H1121 of Harum. H2037

9 And Jabez H3258 was more honourable H3513 than his brethren: H251 and his mother H517 called H7121 his name H8034 Jabez, H3258 saying, H559 Because I bare H3205 him with sorrow. H6090

10 And Jabez H3258 called H7121 on the God H430 of Israel, H3478 saying, H559 Oh that H518 thou wouldest bless H1288 me indeed, H1288 and enlarge H7235 my coast, H1366 and that thine hand H3027 might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep H6213 me from evil, H7451 that it may not grieve H6087 me! And God H430 granted H935 him that which he requested. H7592

11 And Chelub H3620 the brother H251 of Shuah H7746 begat H3205 Mehir, H4243 which was the father H1 of Eshton. H850

12 And Eshton H850 begat H3205 Bethrapha, H1051 and Paseah, H6454 and Tehinnah H8468 the father H1 of Irnahash. H5904 These are the men H582 of Rechah. H7397

13 And the sons H1121 of Kenaz; H7073 Othniel, H6274 and Seraiah: H8304 and the sons H1121 of Othniel; H6274 Hathath. H2867

14 And Meonothai H4587 begat H3205 Ophrah: H6084 and Seraiah H8304 begat H3205 Joab, H3097 the father H1 of the valley H1516 of Charashim; H2798 for they were craftsmen. H2791

15 And the sons H1121 of Caleb H3612 the son H1121 of Jephunneh; H3312 Iru, H5900 Elah, H425 and Naam: H5277 and the sons H1121 of Elah, H425 even Kenaz. H7073

16 And the sons H1121 of Jehaleleel; H3094 Ziph, H2128 and Ziphah, H2129 Tiria, H8493 and Asareel. H840

17 And the sons H1121 of Ezra H5834 were, Jether, H3500 and Mered, H4778 and Epher, H6081 and Jalon: H3210 and she bare H2029 Miriam, H4813 and Shammai, H8060 and Ishbah H3431 the father H1 of Eshtemoa. H851

18 And his wife H802 Jehudijah H3057 bare H3205 Jered H3382 the father H1 of Gedor, H1446 and Heber H2268 the father H1 of Socho, H7755 and Jekuthiel H3354 the father H1 of Zanoah. H2182 And these are the sons H1121 of Bithiah H1332 the daughter H1323 of Pharaoh, H6547 which Mered H4778 took. H3947

19 And the sons H1121 of his wife H802 Hodiah H1940 the sister H269 of Naham, H5163 the father H1 of Keilah H7084 the Garmite, H1636 and Eshtemoa H851 the Maachathite. H4602

20 And the sons H1121 of Shimon H7889 were, Amnon, H550 and Rinnah, H7441 Benhanan, H1135 and Tilon. H8436 And the sons H1121 of Ishi H3469 were, Zoheth, H2105 and Benzoheth. H1132

21 The sons H1121 of Shelah H7956 the son H1121 of Judah H3063 were, Er H6147 the father H1 of Lecah, H3922 and Laadah H3935 the father H1 of Mareshah, H4762 and the families H4940 of the house H1004 of them that wrought H5656 fine linen, H948 of the house H1004 of Ashbea, H791

22 And Jokim, H3137 and the men H582 of Chozeba, H3578 and Joash, H3101 and Saraph, H8315 who had the dominion H1166 in Moab, H4124 and Jashubilehem. H3433 And these are ancient H6267 things. H1697

23 These were the potters, H3335 and those that dwelt H3427 among plants H5196 and hedges: H1448 there they dwelt H3427 with the king H4428 for his work. H4399

24 The sons H1121 of Simeon H8095 were, Nemuel, H5241 and Jamin, H3226 Jarib, H3402 Zerah, H2226 and Shaul: H7586

25 Shallum H7967 his son, H1121 Mibsam H4017 his son, H1121 Mishma H4927 his son. H1121

26 And the sons H1121 of Mishma; H4927 Hamuel H2536 his son, H1121 Zacchur H2139 his son, H1121 Shimei H8096 his son. H1121

27 And Shimei H8096 had sixteen H8337 H6240 sons H1121 and six H8337 daughters; H1323 but his brethren H251 had not many H7227 children, H1121 neither did all their family H4940 multiply, H7235 like to the children H1121 of Judah. H3063

28 And they dwelt H3427 at Beersheba, H884 and Moladah, H4137 and Hazarshual, H2705

29 And at Bilhah, H1090 and at Ezem, H6107 and at Tolad, H8434

30 And at Bethuel, H1328 and at Hormah, H2767 and at Ziklag, H6860

31 And at Bethmarcaboth, H1024 and Hazarsusim, H2702 and at Bethbirei, H1011 and at Shaaraim. H8189 These were their cities H5892 unto the reign H4427 of David. H1732

32 And their villages H2691 were, Etam, H5862 and Ain, H5871 Rimmon, H7417 and Tochen, H8507 and Ashan, H6228 five H2568 cities: H5892

33 And all their villages H2691 that were round about H5439 the same cities, H5892 unto Baal. H1168 These were their habitations, H4186 and their genealogy. H3187

34 And Meshobab, H4877 and Jamlech, H3230 and Joshah H3144 the son H1121 of Amaziah, H558

35 And Joel, H3100 and Jehu H3058 the son H1121 of Josibiah, H3143 the son H1121 of Seraiah, H8304 the son H1121 of Asiel, H6221

36 And Elioenai, H454 and Jaakobah, H3291 and Jeshohaiah, H3439 and Asaiah, H6222 and Adiel, H5717 and Jesimiel, H3450 and Benaiah, H1141

37 And Ziza H2124 the son H1121 of Shiphi, H8230 the son H1121 of Allon, H438 the son H1121 of Jedaiah, H3042 the son H1121 of Shimri, H8113 the son H1121 of Shemaiah; H8098

38 These mentioned H935 by their names H8034 were princes H5387 in their families: H4940 and the house H1004 of their fathers H1 increased H6555 greatly. H7230

39 And they went H3212 to the entrance H3996 of Gedor, H1446 even unto the east side H4217 of the valley, H1516 to seek H1245 pasture H4829 for their flocks. H6629

40 And they found H4672 fat H8082 pasture H4829 and good, H2896 and the land H776 was wide, H7342 H3027 and quiet, H8252 and peaceable; H7961 for they of Ham H2526 had dwelt H3427 there of old. H6440

41 And these written H3789 by name H8034 came H935 in the days H3117 of Hezekiah H3169 king H4428 of Judah, H3063 and smote H5221 their tents, H168 and the habitations H4583 that were found H4672 there, and destroyed H2763 them utterly unto this day, H3117 and dwelt H3427 in their rooms: because there was pasture H4829 there for their flocks. H6629

42 And some of them, even of the sons H1121 of Simeon, H8095 five H2568 hundred H3967 men, H582 went H1980 to mount H2022 Seir, H8165 having for their captains H7218 Pelatiah, H6410 and Neariah, H5294 and Rephaiah, H7509 and Uzziel, H5816 the sons H1121 of Ishi. H3469

43 And they smote H5221 the rest H7611 of the Amalekites H6002 that were escaped, H6413 and dwelt H3427 there unto this day. H3117

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 4

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 4 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 4

In this chapter we have,

  • I. A further account of the genealogies of the tribe of Judah, the most numerous and most famous of all the tribes. The posterity of Shobal the son of Hur (v. 1-4), of Ashur the posthumous son of Hezron (who was mentioned, ch. 2:24), with something particular concerning Jabez (v. 5-10), of Chelub and others (v. 11-20), of Shelah (v. 21-23).
  • II. An account of the posterity and cities of Simeon, their conquest of Gedon, and of the Amalekites in Mount Seir (v. 24-43).

1Ch 4:1-10

One reason, no doubt, why Ezra is here most particular in the register of the tribe of Judah is because it was that tribe which, with its appendages, Simeon, Benjamin, and Levi, made up the kingdom of Judah, which not only long survived the other tribes in Canaan, but in process of time, now when this was written, returned out of captivity, when the generality of the other tribes were lost in the kingdom of Assyria. The most remarkable person in this paragraph is Jabez. It is not said whose son he was, nor does it appear in what age he lived; but, it should seem, he was the founder of one of the families of Aharhel, mentioned v. 8. Here is,

  • I. The reason of his name: his mother gave him the name with this reason, Because I bore him with sorrow, v. 9. All children are borne with sorrow (for the sentence upon the woman is, In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children), but some with much more sorrow than others. Usually the sorrow in bearing is afterwards forgotten for joy that the child is born; but here it seems it was so extraordinary that it was remembered when the child came to be circumcised, and care was taken to perpetuate the remembrance of it while he lived. Perhaps the mother called Habez, as Rachel called her son Benoni, when she was dying of the sorrow. Or, if she recovered it, yet thus she recorded it,
    • 1. That it might be a continual memorandum to herself, to be thankful to God as long as she lived for supporting her under and bringing her through that sorrow. It may be of use to be often reminded of our sorrows, that we may always have such thoughts of things as we had in the day of our affliction, and may learn to rejoice with trembling.
    • 2. That it might likewise be a memorandum to him what this world is into which she bore him, a vale of tears, in which he must expect few days and full of trouble. The sorrow he carried in his name might help to put a seriousness upon his spirit. It might also remind him to love and honour his mother, and labour, in every thing, to be a comfort to her who brought him into the world with so much sorrow. It is piety in children thus to requite their parents, 1 Tim. 5:4.
  • II. The eminence of his character: He was more honourable than his brethren, qualified above them by the divine grace and dignified above them by the divine providence; they did virtuously, but he excelled them all. Now the sorrow with which his mother bore him was abundantly recompensed. That son which of all her children cost her most dear she was most happy in, and was made glad in proportion to the affliction, Ps. 90:15. We are not told upon what account he was more honourable than his brethren, whether because he raised a greater estate, or was preferred to the magistracy, or signalized himself in war; we have most reason to think it was upon the account of his learning and piety, not only because these, above any thing, put honour upon a man, but because we have reason to think that in these Jabez was eminent.
    • 1. In learning, because we find that the families of the scribes dwelt at Jabez (ch. 2:55), a city which, it is likely, took its name from him. The Jews say that he was a famous doctor of the law and left many disciples behind him. And it should seem, by the mentioning of him so abruptly here, that his name was well known when Ezra wrote this.
    • 2. In piety, because we find here that he was a praying man. His inclination to devotion made him truly honourable, and by prayer he obtained those blessings from God which added much to his honour. The way to be truly great is to be truly good and to pray much.
  • III. The prayer he made, probably like Solomon's prayer for wisdom, just when he was setting out in the world. He set himself to acknowledge God in all his ways, put himself under the divine blessing and protection, and prospered accordingly. Perhaps these were the heads on which he enlarged in his daily prayers; for this purpose it was his constant practice to pray alone, and with his family, as Daniel. Some think that it was upon some particular occasion, when he was straitened and threatened by his enemies, that he prayed this prayer. Observe,
    • 1. To whom he prayed, not to any of the gods of the Gentiles; no, he called on the God of Israel, the living and true God, who alone can hear and answer prayer, and in prayer had an eye to him as the God of Israel, a God in covenant with his people, the God with whom Jacob wrestled and prevailed and was thence called Israel.
    • 2. What was the nature of his prayer.
      • (1.) As the margin reads it, it was a solemn vow-If thou wilt bless me indeed, etc. and then the sense is imperfect, but may easily be filled up from Jacob's vow, or some such like-then thou shalt be my God. He did not express his promise, but left it to be understood, either because he was afraid to promise in his own strength or because he resolved to devote himself entirely to God. He does, as it were, give God a blank paper, let him write what he pleases: "Lord, if thou wilt bless me and keep me, do what thou wilt with me, I will be at thy command and disposal for ever.'
      • (2.) As the text reads it, it was the language of a most ardent and affectionate desire: O that thou wouldst bless me!
    • 3. What was the matter of his prayer. Four things he prayed for:-
      • (1.) That God would bless him indeed: "That, blessing, thou wilt bless me, bless me greatly with manifold and abundant blessings.' Perhaps he had an eye to the promise God made to Abraham (Gen. 22:17), In blessing, I will bless thee. "Let that blessing of Abraham come upon me.' Spiritual blessings are the best blessings, and those are blessed indeed who are blessed with them. God's blessings are real things and produce real effects. We can but wish a blessing: he commands it. Those whom he blesses are blessed indeed.
      • (2.) That he would enlarge his coast, that he would prosper his endeavours for the increase of what fell to his lot either by work or war. That God would enlarge our hearts, and so enlarge our portion in himself and in the heavenly Canaan, ought to be our desire and prayer.
      • (3.) That God's hand might be with him. The prayer of Moses for this tribe of Judah was, That his own hands might be sufficient for him, Deu. 33:7; but Jabez expects not that this can be the case, unless he have God's hand with him and the presence of his power. God's hand with us, to lead us, protect us, strengthen us, and to work all our works in us and for us, is indeed a hand sufficient for us, all-sufficient.
      • (4.) That he would keep him from evil, the evil of sin, the evil of trouble, all the evil designs of his enemies, that they might not hurt him, nor grieve him, nor make him a Jabez indeed, a man of sorrow: in the original there is an allusion to his name. Father in heaven, deliver me from evil.
    • 4. What was the success of his prayer: God granted him that which he requested, prospered him remarkably, and gave him success in his undertakings, in his studies, in his worldly business, in his conflicts with the Canaanites, and so he became more honourable than his brethren. God was of old always ready to hear prayer, and his ear is not yet heavy.

1Ch 4:11-23

We may observe in these verses,

  • 1. That here is a whole family of craftsmen, handicraft tradesmen, that applied themselves to all sorts of manufactures, in which they were ingenious and industrious above their neighbours, v. 14. There was a valley where they lived which was, from them, called the valley of craftsmen. Those that are craftsmen are not therefore to be looked upon as mean men. These craftsmen, though two of a trade often disagree, yet chose to live together, for the improving of arts by comparing notes, and that they might support one another's reputation.
  • 2. That one of these married the daughter of Pharaoh (v. 18), which was the common name of the kings of Egypt. If an Israelite in Egypt before the bondage began, while Joseph's merits were yet fresh in mind, was preferred to be the king's son-in-law, it is not to be thought strange: few Israelites could, like Moses, refuse an alliance with the court.
  • 3. That another is said to be the father of the house of those that wrought fine linen, v. 21. It is inserted in their genealogy as their honour that they were the best weavers in the kingdom, and they brought up their children, from one generation to another, to the same business, not aiming to make them gentlemen. This Laadah is said to be the father of those that wrought fine linen, as before the flood Jubal is said to be the father of musicians and Jabal of shepherds, etc. His posterity inhabited the city of Mareshah, the manufacture or staple commodity of which place was linen-cloth, with which their kings and priests were clothed.
  • 4. That another family had had dominion in Moab, but were now in servitude in Babylon, v. 22, 23.
    • (1.) It was found among the ancient things that they had the dominion in Moab. Probably in David's time, when that country was conquered, they transplanted themselves thither, and were put in places of power there, which they held for several generations; but this was a great while ago, time out of mind.
    • (2.) Their posterity were now potters and gardeners, as is supposed in Babylon, where they dwelt with the king for his work, got a good livelihood by their industry, and therefore cared not for returning with their brethren to their own land, after the years of captivity had expired. Those that now have dominion know not what their posterity may be reduced to, nor what mean employments they may be glad to take up with. But those were unworthy the name of Israelites that would dwell among plants and hedges rather than be at the pains to return to Canaan.

1Ch 4:24-43

We have here some of the genealogies of the tribe of Simeon (though it was not a tribe of great note), especially the princes of that tribe, v. 38. Of this tribe it is said that they increased greatly, but not like the children of Judah, v. 27. Those whom God increases ought to be thankful, though they see others that are more increased. Here observe,

  • 1. The cities allotted them (v. 28), of which see Joshua 19:1, etc. When it is said that they were theirs unto the reign of David (v. 31) intimation is given that when the ten tribes revolted from the house of David many of the Simeonites quitted these cities, because they lay within Judah, and seated themselves elsewhere.
  • 2. The ground they got elsewhere. When those of this tribe that revolted from the house of David were carried captive with the rest into Assyria those that adhered to Judah were remarkably owned of God and prospered in their endeavours to enlarge their coasts. It was in the days of Hezekiah that a generation of Simeonites, whose tribe had long crouched and truckled, was animated to make these bold efforts.
    • (1.) Some of them attacked a place in Arabia, as it should seem, called the entrance of Gedor, inhabited by the posterity of accursed Ham (v. 40), made themselves masters of it, and dwelt there. This adds to the glory of Hezekiah's pious reign, that, as his kingdom in general prospered, so did particular families. It is said that they found fat pastures, and yet the land was quiet; even when the kings of Assyria were giving disturbance to all their neighbours this land escaped their alarms. The inhabitants being shepherds, who molested none, were not themselves molested, till the Simeonites came and drove them out and succeeded them, not only in the plenty, but in the peace, of their land. Those who dwell (as we do) in a fruitful country, and whose land is wide, and quiet, and peaceable, have reason to own themselves indebted to that God who appoints the bounds of our habitation.
    • (2.) Others of them, to the number of 500, under the command of four brethren here named, made a descent upon Mount Seir, and smote the remainder of the devoted Amalekites, and took possession of their country, v. 42, 43. Now the curses on Ham and Amalek had a further accomplishment, when they seemed dormant, if not dead; as had also the curse on Simeon, that he should be divided and scattered (Gen. 49:7): yet to him it was turned into a blessing, for the families of Simeon, which thus transplanted themselves into those distant countries, are said to dwell there unto this day (v. 43), by which it should seem they escaped the calamities of the captivity. Providence sometimes sends those out of trouble that are designed for preservation.