The Prayer of Jabez
1 Chronicles 4:10
New International Version
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would
bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and
keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And
God granted his request.
New Living Translation
He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that
you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me
in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!"
And God granted him his request.
English Standard Version
Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you
would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might
be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might
not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.
New American Standard Bible
Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You
would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand
might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it
may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested.
King James Bible
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.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
4:1-43 Genealogies. - In this chapter we have
a further account of Judah, the most numerous and most famous
of all the tribes; also an account of Simeon.
The most remarkable
person in this chapter is Jabez. We are not told upon what account
Jabez was more honourable than his brethren; but we find that
he was a praying man. The way to be truly great, is to seek to
do God's will, and to pray earnestly.
Here is the prayer he made.
Jabez prayed to the living and true God, who alone can hear and
answer prayer; and, in prayer he regarded him as a God in covenant
with his people. He does not express his promise, but leaves it
to be understood; he was afraid to promise in his own strength,
and resolved to devote himself entirely to God. 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. As the text reads it, this
was the language of a most ardent and affectionate desire, Oh
that thou wouldest bless me!
Four things Jabez prayed for.
1.
That God would bless him indeed. Spiritual blessings are the best
blessings: God's blessings are real things, and produce real effects.
2. That He would enlarge his coast. 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. God's hand with us, to lead us, protect us,
strengthen us, and to work all our works in us and for us, is
a hand all-sufficient for us.
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, nor make him a Jabez indeed,
a man of sorrow.
God granted that which he requested.
God is ever ready to hear prayer: his ear is not now heavy.
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