1 Chron. 4 The posterity of Judah by Caleb the son of Hur, 1 Chron. 4:1–4. By Ashur, 1 Chron. 4:5–8. By Jabez: his prayer, 1 Chron. 4:9–20. The posterity of Shelah, 1 Chron. 4:21–23. The posterity and cities of Simeon: their conquest of Gedor; and of the Amalekites in Mount Seir, 1 Chron. 4:24–43.

The sons of Judah, i.e. the posterity; for only Pharez was his immediate son. But they are all mentioned here only to show Shobal’s descent from Judah, of whom he intended to speak more particularly.

Reaiah; called Haroeh, 1 Chron. 2:52; of whom see there. The families of the Zorathites; of whom see on 1 Chron. 2:53.

Etam is the name either of a man, or of a place; of which see below, 1 Chron. 4:32, 2 Chron. 11:6; whose inhabitants descended from him. The name of his father is not here expressed.

Either they are other sons besides those mentioned 1 Chron. 2:0, or there is some variation in their names, which is most frequent among the Hebrews, as hath been oft proved. The father of Beth-lehem: this title is here given to the father, and 1 Chron.

Understand here, and Coz, out of the beginning of the following verse. The like ellipses we have in the end of 2 Chron. 4:13, and of 2 Chron. 7:18.

Jabez; one of the fathers of the families of Aharhel last mentioned. More honourable than his brethren, for courage, and especially for true and fervent piety, expressed in the following petition.

Jabez called on the God of Israel, when he was undertaking some great and dangerous service. Oh that thou wouldst bless me indeed. I trust not to my own or people’s valour, but only to thy blessing and help.

From these are sprung the present inhabitants of Rechah, a town not elsewhere mentioned.

Kenaz; the son either of Chelub, 1 Chron. 4:11, or of his son Eshton, 1 Chron. 4:12, and the father of Jephunneh, and consequently Caleb’s grandfather, 1 Chron. 4:15; whence Caleb is called a Kenezite, Num. 32:12. Hathath; understand, and Meonothai, out of 1 Chron. 4:14. See Poole “1 Chron. 4:7”.

The father of the valley, i.e. of the inhabitants of the valley.

Another Kenaz, differing from that Kenaz 1 Chron. 4:13. Or his name might be Uknaz.

Jehaleleel; the son of Kenaz, or Uknaz, last mentioned.

Ezra; the son of Ashriel last named. She bare; she, i.e. Bithiah, bare unto Mered, as may seem by comparing this with 1 Chron. 4:18.

His wife; either Ezra’s wife, or rather, another wife of Mered. Jehudijah; or, the Jewess; so called to distinguish her from his Egyptian wife here following. These are the sons, to wit, Miriam, and the rest following, 1 Chron. 4:17. The daughter of Pharaoh; either 1.

Hodiah, his third wife.

Shimon; another son of the father of Keilah, mentioned 1 Chron. 4:19. Ishi; son of Tilon last mentioned.

Having treated of the posterity of Judah by Pharez, and by Zerah, he now comes to his progeny by Shelah, of whom see Gen. 38:0.

Who had the dominion in Moab; which they ruled in the name and for the use and service of the kings of Judah, to whom Moab was subject from David’s time. Or, who had possessions in Moab; or, who married wives in Moab. These are ancient things: the sense is either, 1.

These were the potters; or rather, these are; for he seems to oppose their present servitude to their former glory and to show their low and mean spirits, that had rather tarry among the heathen to do their drudgery, than return to Jerusalem to serve God and enjoy their freedom.

The sons of Simeon: these are here joined with Judah, because their possession was taken out of Judah’s portion, Josh. 19:1. This account seems to differ from that Gen.

Shallum his son, i.e. son of Saul last mentioned.

The tribe of Simeon did not increase proportionably to the tribe of Judah, in which they dwelt; as appears by those two catalogues, Num. 1:22, Num. 26:14; which is to be ascribed to God’s curse upon them delivered by the mouth of holy Jacob, Gen.

These and the following cities are mentioned Josh. 19:2;c., with no great alterations.

Either, 1. Of David’s posterity, i.e. as long as the kingdom of Judah lasted, or until the captivity of Babylon. But this seems not to be true, for Simeon was gone into captivity with the rest of the ten tribes long before that time. Or rather, 2. Of David himself.

These and the rest here following are particularly mentioned for their valiant and successful achievements, related 1 Chron. 4:39;c.

These named 1 Chron. 4:34–37. The house of their fathers increased greatly which forced them to seek for new and larger habitations.

To the entrance of Gedor, to that country that belongs to Gedor, or borders upon it; either that Gedor, Josh. 15:58, or that called Gederah, Josh. 15:36. Unto the east side of the valley; of which See Poole “1 Sam. 17:2, 1 Sam. 17:52”.

They of Ham, i.e. the posterity of that cursed Ham; either the Arabians; or the Canaanites or Philistines, who descended from Ham, Gen. 10:6. And accordingly these words contain a reason, either, 1.

In the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; but a little before their captivity, which was in the sixth year of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 17:0. So their joy in their new, and pleasant, and fruitful possessions lasted but for a very little while. Smote their tents, i.e.

Some went to Mount Seir; probably about the same time.

The rest of the Amalekites; not destroyed by Saul, or David, or his successors. Unto this day; either, 1. Until the captivity of the ten tribes. But that happening so speedily after this time, this expression may seem to be very improper and insignificant here. Or rather, 2.