mh_parser/vol_split/13 - 1Chronicles/Chapter 4.xml

<div2 id="iCh.v" n="v" next="iCh.vi" prev="iCh.iv" progress="73.77%" title="Chapter IV">
<h2 id="iCh.v-p0.1">F I R S T   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iCh.v-p0.2">CHAP. IV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iCh.v-p1">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
(<scripRef id="iCh.v-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.1-1Chr.4.4" parsed="|1Chr|4|1|4|4" passage="1Ch 4:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>), of Ashur the
posthumous son of Hezron (who was mentioned, <scripRef id="iCh.v-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.2.24" parsed="|1Chr|2|24|0|0" passage="1Ch 2:24">ii. 24</scripRef>), with something particular concerning
Jabez (<scripRef id="iCh.v-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.5-1Chr.4.10" parsed="|1Chr|4|5|4|10" passage="1Ch 4:5-10">ver. 5-10</scripRef>), of
Chelub and others (<scripRef id="iCh.v-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.11-1Chr.4.20" parsed="|1Chr|4|11|4|20" passage="1Ch 4:11-20">ver.
11-20</scripRef>), of Shelah, <scripRef id="iCh.v-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.21-1Chr.4.23" parsed="|1Chr|4|21|4|23" passage="1Ch 4:21-23">ver.
21-23</scripRef>. II. An account of the posterity and cities of
Simeon, their conquest of Gedon, and of the Amalekites in Mount
Seir, <scripRef id="iCh.v-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.24-1Chr.4.43" parsed="|1Chr|4|24|4|43" passage="1Ch 4:24-43">ver. 24-43</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iCh.v-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4" parsed="|1Chr|4|0|0|0" passage="1Ch 4" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iCh.v-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.1-1Chr.4.10" parsed="|1Chr|4|1|4|10" passage="1Ch 4:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.4.1-1Chr.4.10">
<h4 id="iCh.v-p1.9">The Sons of Judah; The Prayer of
Jabez. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.v-p1.10">b. c.</span> 1720.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.v-p2">1 The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi,
and Hur, and Shobal.   2 And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat
Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai, and Lahad. These <i>are</i> the
families of the Zorathites.   3 And these <i>were of</i> the
father of Etam; Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash: and the name of
their sister <i>was</i> Hazelel-poni:   4 And Penuel the
father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These <i>are</i>
the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of
Bethlehem.   5 And Ashur the father of Tekoa had two wives,
Helah and Naarah.   6 And Naarah bare him Ahuzam, and Hepher,
and Temeni, and Haahashtari. These <i>were</i> the sons of Naarah.
  7 And the sons of Helah <i>were,</i> Zereth, and Jezoar, and
Ethnan.   8 And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families
of Aharhel the son of Harum.   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 <i>me</i> from evil, that it may not grieve me!
And God granted him that which he requested.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.v-p3">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 <scripRef id="iCh.v-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.8" parsed="|1Chr|4|8|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. Here
is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.v-p4">I. The reason of his name: his mother gave
him the name with this reason, <i>Because I bore him with
sorrow,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.v-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.9" parsed="|1Chr|4|9|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. All
children are borne with sorrow (for the sentence upon the woman is,
<i>In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children</i>), but some with
much more sorrow than others. Usually the sorrow in bearing is
afterwards forgotten <i>for joy that the child is born;</i> 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 <i>few days and full of trouble.</i> 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, <scripRef id="iCh.v-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.5.4" parsed="|1Tim|5|4|0|0" passage="1Ti 5:4">1 Tim. v.
4</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.v-p5">II. The eminence of his character: <i>He
was more honourable than his brethren,</i> 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, <scripRef id="iCh.v-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.90.15" parsed="|Ps|90|15|0|0" passage="Ps 90:15">Ps. xc. 15</scripRef>. We are not told upon what
account he was <i>more honourable than his brethren,</i> 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 <i>the families of the scribes dwelt
at Jabez</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.v-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.2.55" parsed="|1Chr|2|55|0|0" passage="1Ch 2:55"><i>ch.</i> ii.
55</scripRef>), 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.v-p6">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,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.v-p7">1. To whom he prayed, not to any of the
gods of the Gentiles; no, he <i>called on the God of Israel,</i>
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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.v-p8">2. What was the nature of his prayer. (1.)
As the <i>margin</i> reads it, it was a solemn vow—<i>If thou wilt
bless me indeed, &amp;c.</i> and then the sense is imperfect, but
may easily be filled up from Jacob's vow, or some such
like—<i>then thou shalt be my God.</i> 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 <i>text</i> reads it, it was
the language of a most ardent and affectionate desire: <i>O that
thou wouldst bless me!</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.v-p9">3. What was the matter of his prayer. Four
things he prayed for:—(1.) That God would bless him indeed:
"That, <i>blessing, thou wilt bless me,</i> bless me greatly with
manifold and abundant blessings." Perhaps he had an eye to the
promise God made to Abraham (<scripRef id="iCh.v-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.22.17" parsed="|Gen|22|17|0|0" passage="Ge 22:17">Gen.
xxii. 17</scripRef>), <i>In blessing, I will bless thee.</i> "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
<i>hands might be sufficient for him,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.v-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.7" parsed="|Deut|33|7|0|0" passage="De 33:7">Deut. xxxiii. 7</scripRef>; but Jabez expects not that
this can be the case, unless he have <i>God's</i> 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 <i>Jabez</i> indeed, <i>a man of
sorrow:</i> in the original there is an allusion to his name.
<i>Father in heaven, deliver me from evil.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.v-p10">4. What was the success of his prayer:
<i>God granted him that which he requested,</i> 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 <i>more honourable than his
brethren.</i> God was of old always ready to hear prayer, and
<i>his ear is not yet heavy.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.v-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.11-1Chr.4.23" parsed="|1Chr|4|11|4|23" passage="1Ch 4:11-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.4.11-1Chr.4.23">
<h4 id="iCh.v-p10.2">Genealogies. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.v-p10.3">b. c.</span> 1420.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.v-p11">11 And Chelub the brother of Shuah begat Mehir,
which <i>was</i> the father of Eshton.   12 And Eshton begat
Beth-rapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash. These
<i>are</i> the men of Rechah.   13 And the sons of Kenaz;
Othniel, and Seraiah: and the sons of Othniel; Hathath.   14
And Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the father of
the valley of Charashim; for they were craftsmen.   15 And the
sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the
sons of Elah, even Kenaz.   16 And the sons of Jehaleleel;
Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asareel.   17 And the sons of
Ezra <i>were,</i> Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she
bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.  
18 And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber
the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these
<i>are</i> the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered
took.   19 And the sons of <i>his</i> wife Hodiah the sister
of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the
Maachathite.   20 And the sons of Shimon <i>were,</i> Amnon,
and Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi <i>were,</i>
Zoheth, and Benzoheth.   21 The sons of Shelah the son of
Judah <i>were,</i> Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of
Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine
linen, of the house of Ashbea,   22 And Jokim, and the men of
Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and
Jashubilehem. And <i>these are</i> ancient things.   23 These
<i>were</i> the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and
hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.v-p12">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, <scripRef id="iCh.v-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.14" parsed="|1Chr|4|14|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. There was a valley
where they lived which was, from them, called <i>the valley of
craftsmen.</i> 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
(<scripRef id="iCh.v-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.18" parsed="|1Chr|4|18|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), 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
<i>father of the house of those that wrought fine linen,</i>
<scripRef id="iCh.v-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.21" parsed="|1Chr|4|21|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. 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 <i>father of those
that wrought fine linen,</i> as before the flood Jubal is said to
be <i>the father of musicians</i> and Jabal of <i>shepherds,</i>
&amp;c. 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 <i>dominion in Moab,</i> but were now in
<i>servitude in Babylon,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.v-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.22-1Chr.4.23" parsed="|1Chr|4|22|4|23" passage="1Ch 4:22,23"><i>v.</i> 22, 23</scripRef>. (1.) It was found among
the <i>ancient things</i> that they had the <i>dominion in
Moab.</i> 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 <i>dwelt with the king for his work,</i> 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 <i>Israelites</i>
that would dwell among <i>plants and hedges</i> rather than be at
the pains to return to Canaan.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.v-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.24-1Chr.4.43" parsed="|1Chr|4|24|4|43" passage="1Ch 4:24-43" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.4.24-1Chr.4.43">
<h4 id="iCh.v-p12.6">Genealogies. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.v-p12.7">b. c.</span> 715.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.v-p13">24 The sons of Simeon <i>were,</i> Nemuel, and
Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, <i>and</i> Shaul:   25 Shallum his son,
Mibsam his son, Mishma his son.   26 And the sons of Mishma;
Hamuel his son, Zacchur his son, Shimei his son.   27 And
Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not
many children, neither did all their family multiply, like to the
children of Judah.   28 And they dwelt at Beer-sheba, and
Moladah, and Hazar-shual,   29 And at Bilhah, and at Ezem, and
at Tolad,   30 And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,
  31 And at Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susim, and at
Beth-birei, and at Shaaraim. These <i>were</i> their cities unto
the reign of David.   32 And their villages <i>were,</i> Etam,
and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities:   33 And
all their villages that <i>were</i> round about the same cities,
unto Baal. These <i>were</i> their habitations, and their
genealogy.   34 And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son
of Amaziah,   35 And Joel, and Jehu the son of Josibiah, the
son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel,   36 And Elioenai, and
Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and
Benaiah,   37 And Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon,
the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah;  
38 These mentioned by <i>their</i> names <i>were</i> princes in
their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly.
  39 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, <i>even</i> unto
the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
  40 And they found fat pasture and good, and the land
<i>was</i> wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for <i>they</i> of Ham
had dwelt there of old.   41 And these written by name came in
the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the
habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto
this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because <i>there was</i>
pasture there for their flocks.   42 And <i>some</i> of them,
<i>even</i> of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount
Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and
Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.   43 And they smote
the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto
this day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.v-p14">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, <scripRef id="iCh.v-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.38" parsed="|1Chr|4|38|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>. Of this tribe it is said that
they <i>increased greatly,</i> but <i>not like the children of
Judah,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.v-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.27" parsed="|1Chr|4|27|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>.
Those whom God increases ought to be thankful, though they see
others that are more increased. Here observe, 1. The cities
allotted them (<scripRef id="iCh.v-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.28" parsed="|1Chr|4|28|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:28"><i>v.</i>
28</scripRef>), of which see <scripRef id="iCh.v-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.19.1-Josh.19.9" parsed="|Josh|19|1|19|9" passage="Jos 19:1-9">Joshua
xix. 1</scripRef>, &amp;c. When it is said that they were theirs
<i>unto the reign of David</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.v-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.31" parsed="|1Chr|4|31|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>) 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 <i>the
entrance of Gedor,</i> inhabited by the posterity of accursed Ham
(<scripRef id="iCh.v-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.40" parsed="|1Chr|4|40|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:40"><i>v.</i> 40</scripRef>), 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 <i>the land was quiet;</i> 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
<i>appoints the bounds of our habitation.</i> (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,
<scripRef id="iCh.v-p14.7" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.42-1Chr.4.43" parsed="|1Chr|4|42|4|43" passage="1Ch 4:42,43"><i>v.</i> 42, 43</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="iCh.v-p14.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.49.7" parsed="|Gen|49|7|0|0" passage="Ge 49:7">Gen. xlix. 7</scripRef>): 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 <i>dwell there
unto this day</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.v-p14.9" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.4.43" parsed="|1Chr|4|43|0|0" passage="1Ch 4:43"><i>v.</i>
43</scripRef>), by which it should seem they escaped the calamities
of the captivity. Providence sometimes sends those out of trouble
that are designed for preservation.</p>
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