Study 5 - 1 Chronicles
4: And Jabez called on the God of Israel
1. More branches of
the tribe of Judah
a. In this chapter, we have:
i. v1-23: a further
account of the royal tribe of Judah, and of some chief families in it.
- vi-2: Judah >
Pharez > Hezron > Carmi/Chelubai (2:9) > Hur > Caleb (2:50) >
Shobal > Reaiah/Haroeh (2:52) > Jahath > Ahumai =>
Zorites/Zorathites of Zoreah. (2:54)
- v3 The prominent
sons and daughters of Etam, a place near Zoreah: Jezreel, and Ishma, and
Idbash, and Hazelelponi. Jewish tradition had it that Hazelelponi was the
mother of Samson.
- v4: Penuel >
Gedor, Ezer > father of Hushah; these are sons of Hur (2:19), the firstborn of
Ephratah (2>51)
ii. v5-8: Ashur -
the son of Hezron by Abiah (2:24) is the founder of Tekoa – had two wives,
Helah and Naarah.
- Ashur (Naarah)
> Ahuzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari.
- Ashur (Helah) >
Zereth, Zoar, Ethnam, Coz. Nothing further is mentioned about Ashur’s sons.
iii. v9-10: Jabez:
iv. v11-20: Chelub,
son of Ezer
- v11-12: Chelub
(son of Ezer, 4:4) > Mehir > Eshton > Bethrapha, Paseah, Tehinnah >
Irnahash => Rechah
- v13: Kenaz >
Othniel and Seraiah. Othniel was the first Judge in Israel. Joshua 15:17.
Othniel > Hathath and Meonothai. Kenaz => Kenezites (Joshua 14:6)
- v14: Meonothai
> Ophrah; Seraiah > Joab (not David’s general). This Joab was a
craftsman, the founder of the valley of Charashim, valley of craftsmen.
- v15: Jephunneh
(son of Kenaz, and brother of Othniel) > Caleb > Iru, Elah and Naam; Elah
> Kenaz > …
- v16: Jehalaleel
> Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asareel > …
- v 17: Ezra >
Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon; Mered > Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah
(founder of Eshremoa) Joshua 15:50.
- v18: Mered
(Jehudijah/Bithiah), Ishbah > Jered( Gedor, Jos 15:58); Heber (Socho, Jos
15:35), Jekethiel (Zanoah, Jos 15:34);
- v19: Mered
(Hodiah) > Shimon and Ishi??
- v20: Shimon >
Amnon, Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon; Ishi > Zoheth and Benzoheth.
v. v21-23: The posterity of Judah through his sons Pharez and Zerah has been given.
Now is Shelah’s.
- v21: Judah (Shuah,
Gen 38:2,5) > Shelah > Er (in memory of his uncle) > Laadah >
Mareshah => makers of fine linen. Jos
15:44.
- v22-23: some
famous descendants of Shelah: Jokim, men of Chozeba, Joash, Saraph; these had
dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. There they dwelt with the king for his
work.
- These are ancient
things: old truth passed faithfully passed down, or
2. The tribe of
Simeon
a. Verses
24-38: an account of the tribe of
Simeon, their families, cities, and villages. Simeon is mentioned before Reuben
because its inheritance lay in the tribe of Judah, Jos 19:1.
i. v24: Simeon > Nemuel/Jemuel (Gen 46:10), Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul
ii. v25-27: Shaul > Shallum > Mibsam > Mishma > Hamuel, Zacchur, and Shimei > sixteen sons and six daughters (none mentioned). His brethren were not fruitful.
iii. 28-33: The cities of their dwelling is enumerated…
iv. v34-38: chief men of the posterity of Simeon… they increased greatly, and needed more space.
b . v39-43: an
account of the enlargement of their borders, and conquest of the Amalekites
i. v39-40: Where?
valley of Gedor/Gedaris, along with Azotus and Ashkelon, cities that belonged to
the Philistines, even unto the east
side of the valley, which was near to Gedor, to seek pasture for their flocks,
their sheep and goats.
- The cursed
inhabitants were expelled.
ii. v41: When and what they did? In the days of king Hezekiah.
iii. v42: Who led them in their brave exploits? 500 men led by their captains: Pelathiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel; these were the sons of Ishi
iv. v43: The Amalekites were finally destroyed.
3. Some Lessons from
Jabez
9 And Jabez was more
honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying,
Because I bare him with sorrow.
10 And Jabez called
on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and
enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest
keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he
requested.
What can we learn
from these two verses?
