Jabez's Prayer

1 Chronicles 4
[9] And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
[Jabez - was, as many think, the son of Coz, or Kenaz, and is here eulogized for his sincere and fervent piety, as well, perhaps, as for some public and patriotic works which he performed. The Jewish writers affirm that he was an eminent doctor in the law, whose reputation drew so many scribes around him that a town was called by his name (2:55); and to the piety of his character this passage bears ample testimony. The memory of the critical circumstances which marked his birth was perpetuated in his name (compare Genesis 35:15); and yet, in the development of his high talents or distinguished worth in later life, his mother must have found a satisfaction and delight that sufficiently rewarded for all her early trials. His prayer which is here recorded, and which, like Jacob's, is in the form of a vow (Genesis 28:20), seems to have been uttered when he was entering on an important or critical service, for the successful execution of which he placed confidence neither on his own nor his people's prowess, but looked anxiously for the aid and blessing of G-d. The enterprise was in all probability the exclusion of the Canaanites from the territory he occupied; and as this was a war of extermination, which G-d Himself had commanded, His blessing could be the more reasonably asked and expected in preserving them from all the evils to which the undertaking might expose him. In these words, "that it may not grieve me," and which might be more literally rendered, "that I may have no more sorrow," there is an allusion to the meaning of his name, Jabez, signifying "grief"; and the import of this petition is, Let me not experience the grief which my name implies, and which my sins may well produce.
Honourable - For courage, and for fervent piety. She records this, that it might be a memorandum to herself, to be thankful to G-d as long as she lived, for bringing her through that sorrow: and a memorandum to him, that she bore him into a vale of tears, in which he might expect few days and full of trouble. And the sorrow in his name might serve to put seriousness upon his spirit. Jabez was eminent:
1. In learning, because we find that the families of the scribes dwelt at Jabez (cp. 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 G-d which added much to his honour. The way to be truly great is to be truly good and to pray much.
3. 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 G-d 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.]
[10] And Jabez called on the G-d 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 G-d granted him that which he requested.
[Called - When he was undertaking some great and dangerous service.
Enlarge - Drive out these Canaanites, whom thou hast commanded us to root out.
Grieve - That it may not oppress and overcome me: more is understood than is expressed. He used this expression in allusion to his name, which signifies grief.
And G-d granted. - Prospered him remarkably in his undertakings, in his studies, in his worldly business, and in his conflicts with the Canaanites.
G-d granted him that which he requested - Whatever was the kind of undertaking which roused his anxieties, Jabez enjoyed a remarkable degree of prosperity, and G-d, in this instance, proved that He was not only the hearer, but the answerer of prayer. Observe:
1. To whom he prayed, not to any of the G-ds of the Gentiles; no, he called on the G-d of Israel, the living and true G-d, who alone can hear and answer prayer, and in prayer had an eye to him as the G-d of Israel, a G-d in covenant with his people, the G-d with whom Jacob wrestled and prevailed and was thence called Israel.
2. What was the nature of his prayer:
(A.) 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 G-d. 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 G-d. He does, as it were, give G-d a blank paper, let him write what he pleases: "L-d, if thou wilt bless me and keep me, do what thou wilt with me, I will be at thy command and disposal for ever.’’
(B.) 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:
(A.) That G-d 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 G-d 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. G-d’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.
(B.) That he would enlarge his coast that he would prosper his endeavors for the increase of what fell to his lot either by work or war. That G-d would enlarge our hearts, and so enlarge our portion in himself and in the heavenly Canaan, ought to be our desire and prayer.
(C.) That G-d’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, Deut. 33:7; but Jabez expects not that this can be the case, unless he have G-d’s hand with him and the presence of his power. G-d’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.
(D.) 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: G-d 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. G-d was of old always ready to hear prayer, and his ear is not yet heavy.]