In Today's Email:
I Chronicles 3 Notes
In this chapter we have the family of David and the royal line that followed him.
vs. 1-9 – The children of David. Bathshua in vs. 5 is an alternate spelling of Bathsheba. I find it interesting that one of her sons is named Nathan after the prophet who confronted David and her about their sin. I think this shows she had truly repented.
vs. 10-15 – The royal house of David, from Solomon to Zedekiah. The wicked queen Athliah is the only ruler over Judah not named because she was not of David’s line.
vs. 16-24 – This section traces the royal house through the years of the Babylonian Captivity.
I Chronicles 4 Notes
In this chapter we begin a series of reports on the principal families in the tribes of Israel with Judah and Simeon. The tribe of Dan is curiously omitted, possibly because the had fallen away into idolatry (Judges 18:30).
vs. 1-23 – The chief families of Judah. In vs. 9-10 we find the famed prayer of Jabez (“affliction, sorrow”).
vs. 24-43 – The chief families of Simeon. Note that they prospered to the point that they had to seek new pastureland for their flocks. I do not see a consensus on the location of Gedor, but Mount Seir is in the Edomite territory south of the Dead Sea.
I Chronicles 5 Notes
In this chapter we have the principal families of Rueben, Gad, and Manasseh.
vs. 1-10 – The chief families of Reuben. In vs. 1-2 a defense is given of the elevation of Judah as the ruling tribe. First, Rueben had forfeited his right through his sin. Second, Joseph received the blessing of birthright from Jacob. This came with a double portion of inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17), which allowed Joseph’s tribe to be divided by his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Third, the tribe of Judah grew strong in number and strength far more than the other tribes. Fourth, it was prophesied that the ruler would come through Judah (Genesis 49:10). Bela led an expansion of their territory in Gilead and toward the Euphrates.
vs. 11-22 – The chief families of Gad. The tribe warred against the Hagarites (Ishmaelites?) with Reuben and Manasseh, and a great victory was won with many spoils.
vs. 23-26 – The chief families of the half tribe of Manasseh that lived on the east side of Jordan. They fell into sin and were judged by God. The Assyrians took them captive and resettled them elsewhere.
Closing Thoughts
The prayer of Jabez is certainly the highlight of our reading today. One of the things that stands out about it is that is more of a vow than a prayer. We do not know the setting for certain, but it appears that Jabez was working to drive out the Canaanites from his possessions in the Promised Land. He called on God to bless the efforts he was undertaking and to honor the promises God made concerning the conquest. It is the very union of human endeavor and Divine favor that achieves the most. Do not just pray. Do not just act. Pray and act.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is found in John Rippon’s 1787 hymnal, “A Selection of Hymns: from the best authors, intended to be an appendix to Dr. Watt's psalms and hymns.” It is listed under the heading, “Jabez’s prayer”, and believed to have been written by Joshua Spalding.
O that the Lord indeed
Would me his servant bless,
From every evil shield my head,
And crown my paths with peace!
Be his almighty hand
My helper and my guide,
'Till with his saints in Canaan's land,
My portion he divide.