One reason, no doubt, why Ezra was very particular in the register of the tribe of Judah was because it was the tribe which made up the southern kingdom of Judah, along with its appendages – Simeon, Benjamin, and Levi. Not only did they outlast the northern kingdom of Israel for 135 years; but in process of time, when this account was being written, they had returned out of captivity, while the majority of the other tribes were assimilated into the kingdom of Assyria.
One of the remarkable persons in this chapter was Jabez. We are told that his mother gave him the name Jabez with this reason: “Because I bare him with sorrow” (verse 9). His mother probably did this so that it would be a continual memorandum to herself to be thankful to God as long as she lived for supporting her under that sorrow, and for bringing her through it. The sorrow which Jabez carried in his name might have helped to remind him to love and honor his mother, and to labor to be a comfort to her who brought him into the world with so much sorrow – which is a mark of piety in children (1 Tim. 5:4). He was “more honourable than his brethren.” And we know that he was a pious man, because we find here that he was a praying man. By prayer, he obtained blessings from God which added much to his honor. The way to be truly great is to be truly good, and to pray often.

We are given a record of the prayer which Jabez 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, he put himself under the Divine blessing and protection, and he prospered accordingly. There were four things which Jabez prayed for. First, he asked that God would bless him indeed. Perhaps he had an eye to the promise which Jehovah had made to Abraham (Gen. 22:17), when He said, “In blessing, I will bless thee.” Spiritual blessings are the best blessings, and those are blessed indeed who are blessed with them. The Lord’s blessings are real things and produce real effects. Second, Jabez prayed that God would enlarge his borders. Our desire and prayer ought to be that the Lord would enlarge our hearts, and to enlarge our portion in Himself and in the heavenly Canaan. Third, he prayed that God’s hand might be with him. The Lord’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 that is all-sufficient for us! And last, Jabez prayed that the Lord would keep him from evil – the evil of sin, the evil of trouble, and the evil plans of his enemies. “Our Father Who art in heaven,” we pray, “deliver us from evil!”

God granted Jabez the things that he requested. He prospered remarkably; and the Lord gave him success in his undertakings, his studies, his worldly business, and his conflicts with the Canaanites. The Lord has always been ready to hear and answer prayer; and even today, His ear is not closed!

Verses 11-23 contain some things of particular interest. We read of a whole family of craftsmen (verse 14) who applied themselves to all sorts of manufactures. Another man is said to be the father of the house of those who made fine linen (verse 21). It is inserted in their genealogy, to their honor, that they were expert weavers; and they brought up their children, from one generation to another, to be employed in the same diligent business. Another family had enjoyed dominion in Moab, but they were now in servitude in Babylon (verses 22-23). It was found among the “ancient things” that they were masters in Moab – probably in David’s time, when that country was conquered. But that had been a long time ago. Their posterity were now potters and gardeners for the king.

The latter portion of this chapter contains some of the genealogies of the tribe of Simeon (although it was not a tribe of great fame) – especially the princes of that tribe (verse 38). It is said that they increased greatly, but not like the children of Judah (verse 27). We read of the cities that were allotted to them (verses 28-31). It is said that these were their cities until the reign of David; for when the 10 northern tribes revolted from the family of David, many of the Simeonites probably quitted these cities (because they lay within the borders of the tribe and kingdom of Judah) and moved elsewhere.

It was in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah that a generation of Simeonites was animated to make bold efforts to attack a place in Arabia, called the entrance of Gedor – which was inhabited by the posterity of Noah’s son Ham (verse 40). They made themselves masters of this rich and quiet countryside, and lived there. If we dwell in a fruitful and peaceable country, we have reason to acknowledge that we are indebted to God, Who appoints the bounds of our habitation (Ps. 47:4). Other Simeonites – 500 of them, under the command of four brothers (verses 42-43) – made a descent upon Mount Seir; and they also smote the remainder of the Amalekites, and took possession of their country. Now the Lord’s curse on Amalek (Ex. 17:8-16) had a further accomplishment – when it seemed dormant, if not dead. The Lord’s Word may be slow in being fulfilled, but it shall be fulfilled!

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