1 Chronicles 4

The sons and posterity of Juda, by Caleb the son of Hur, v.1. &c. by Assur,5. By Jahez: And of his prayer 9. The posterity of Selah, 21. The posterity, cities and villagdes of Simeon, 24. Item, how they took possession of Gedar, and of the pasture-grounds thereabout, 39. And smote the rest of the Amalekites, and took possession of mount Seir, 42.

1. The children of Juda were Perez, [Perez (to speak properly) was the son of Juda, but those that are named here after him, sprung from Perez] Hezron, and Charmi, [he is called Chelubai, chap.2.9. and also Caleb, chap.2.v.18.] and Hur, and Sobal. [Hur was Sobals grand-father, above chap.2.50. so that Caleb the son of Hur is here left out.]

2. And Reaja the son of Sabal [This Reaja is called Haroe a son of Sabal, chap.2.vers.52.] begat Johath, and Johath begat Ahamai, and Lahad: These are the household of the Zoathites; [these dwelt at Zora, lying in the tribe of Judsa, Jos.15.33.]

3. And these are of the Father of Etam: [i.e. which dwelt at Etam. See 2 Chron.11.6.] Jizreel, and Isma, and Jobas, and their sisters name was Hazelelponi.

4. And Pnuel [Chap.2.v.51. he is called Hareph] was the father of Gedor, and Eser the Father of Husah: [v.11. by a transposition of the letters he is called Suha] these are the children of Hur the first-born of Ephrata [see 1 Chron.2.v.9.] the Father of Bethlehem. [it is to be noted that this Hur was but in part the Father of Bethlehem, for this is also ascribed unto Salomon, 1 Chron.2.51. and 5.4. See the annotate there.]

5. Now Asschur [He was born after his Father Hezrons death. See chap.2.v.24.] the Father of tekoa had two wives, Hela and Naara.

6. And Naara bare him Ahuzzam, and Hepher, and Teneni, and Haahastari; These are the children of Naara.

7. And the children of Hela were Zereth, Jozohar, and Ethnam. [Understand withal; and Roz, (out of the following verse) who was a son of Hela, or the beginning of the 8.verse may be thus translated, and Roz (who) begat Anub. See the like transposition above chap.2.47. and here below v.14.]

8. And Roz begat Anub, and Hazobeba, and the households of Aharhel the son of Harum.

9. Now Jahez was more honorable then his brethren: [He was one of the chiefest, of whom the families of Aharmel came, whereof mentioned is made v.8.] and his mother had called his name Jahez, saying; For I bare him with sorrow. [Jabez converted or turned out of Jazeb, signifieth a maker, or causer of sorrow.]

10. For Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying; if thou shalt richly bless me, [Hebr. blessing bless me] and enlarge my border, and thine hand shall be with me, and (shalt) (so) deal with the evil, that it may not grieve me: [this is an imperfect phrase or manner of speaking , wherein the promise is concealed ,which this man made unto God, if he should obtain the blessing, which he had craved of God. As the Hebrews in swearing do usually conceal the punishment, which they do imprecate or wish unto themselves, if they do swear falsely; so do they sometimes conceal the promise in their wishes, and desires, or prayers. In Gen.28.vers.20.21,22. Its set down fully, namely, both the prayer, and the promise] And God caused (the thing) to come to pass, which he desired. [that which is recorded in this verse, is added as by a reason, to shew why Jabez was become more honorable and more excellent the his brethren, namely, because he by his prayer unto God, had obtained the blessing of God in a more abundant manner upon his house.]

11. And Chelub the father of Suba [Called vers.4. Husa] begat Nechir, he is the Father of Eston.

12. Now Eston begat Bethrapha, and Pasea, and Tehima, the Father of Ir-Nahas: [Oth. The Father of the city of Nahas] These are the men of Kecha.

13. And the children of Kenaz [He was the Father of Jephunne, whose son was Caleb, who is therefore also called a Kenezite, Numb.32.12.] were Othiel, and Seraja: And the children of Othiel, Hathath: [Understand withal: and Meonothai (out of the following verse) which name is not set down in the Hebrew but it must of necessity be also understood.]

14. And Meonothai begat Ophra: And Seraja begat vernor of those that dwelt in the valley of craftmen: See above chap.2.on v.21. This valley lyeth by the border of Juda and Benjamin, so that it is under two jurisdictions, Nehem.11.25. The valley of Craftmen, or smiths. Some translate it tradesmen, or, Handicraftmen, as Nehem.11.35.] for they [to wit, Joabs posterity] were craftsmen, [the meaning of these words is, therefore was this valley called the valley of trademen, because they that inhabited the same were craftmen or carpenters.]

15. Now the children of Caleb the son of Jephunne [See Num.32.12.] were Iru, Ela, and Naami; and the children of Ela, to wit, Kenaz. [oth. Ukenaz.]

16. And the children of Jehalelel were Ziph, and Zipha, Thirea, and Asareel.

17. And the children of Ezra were Jether, and Mered; and Zepher, and Jalon: And she [To wit, Bitja, Pharaos daughter, Mereds wife. See v.18.] bare Mirjam, and Sammai, and Isbah, the Father of Estemoa.

18. And his jewish wife [This woman is thus distinguished from Mereds other wise, namely, from Bithja, who was an alien, being a daughter of Pharao out of Egypt. Some conceive that this, to wit, Jehudijah, that is, Jewish (woman) was a proper name: Or, at least Hodijah, as she is called ver.19. which also signifieth Jewels. Others are of opinion that Hodija was Mereds third wife, and that consequently he had three sorts of children] bare Jered the Father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the Father of Zanoah: And those [to wit, that are mentioned v.17. are the children of Bitja the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered had taken (to wife).

19. And the children of (his) wife Hodijah, [Oth. The Jewish (woman), or, Jewess] the sister of Naham, were Abikehila the Garmite, and Estemoa the Maachathite.

20. Now the children of Simeon were Amnon, and Rinna, Ben-Hanan, and Tilon: [Oth. Tulon] and the children of Isei were Zoheth, and Ben Zoheth.

21. The children of Selah the son of Juda were Er, the Father of Lecha, and Lada the Father of Lecha, and Lada the father of Maresa: And the families of the house of the linen-workers [i.e. of those that wrought in costly fine linen, which is made fine Egyptians flax. This flax was as fine as silk, and therefore some do render it handicraftsmen in silk, or, silk-workers] in the house of Asbea.

22. Besides, Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, [This city is called Chezib, Gen.38.5. See the annot. There] and Joas, and Saraph, (who had dominion over the Moabites) [that is, who in the Kings stead had dominion over the Moabites] and Jasubi-Lehem. But these things are old. [as if he had said, its superfluous to speak or write much of these, for although many of these in their time were men of note, yet their posterity were such base and low spirited persons, that they had rather be potters, gardeners, &c. then that returning to their own land, they should have kept their ancient and fatherly freedom, as v.23. is related.]

23. These were potters dwelling by plants and hedges: [Or, paled fences] There they abode with the King, [some understand here the King of the Moabites, from v.22. Others the King of Babylon, in this sense, that the posterity of Selah had rather to tarry in Babylon, and to be servants there, then to return home to their own country, and there to enjoy their ancient liberty, and from thence they conclude that this Book was written by Ezra, after the Babylon captivity. Others understand here by the word king, the king of Juda, unto whom Selah’s posterity performed that service, that they kept and took care of the gardens and plantation s of the Kings of Juda] in his work. [to wit, in the planting of, and looking to his gardens.]

24. The Children of Jamin, Jerib, [otherwise called Jakin] Zerah, [otherwise called Tsohar] Saul. [see of the three last, Gen.46.10.]

25. Sallum was his son, Mibsam [See Gen.25.13.] was his son, Misma was his son.

26. The children of Misma were (these) Hammuel his son, Zacchur his son, Simei his son.

27. Now Simei had sixteen sons, and six daughters, but his brethren had not many children: And their whole family was not so much increased, as (the family) of the house Juda (was). [Hebr. not increased to the children of Juda.]

28. And they dwelt at Ber-Seba, and at Molada, and at Hazra-Saul. [See Jos.19.2, &c. where these cities mentioned in this and the following verses are likewise rehearsed, though with some alteration in the names of them.]

29. And at Bilha, and at Ezem, and at Tholad.

30. And at Bethuel, and at Horma, and at Ziglag.

31. And at Beth-Marboth, and at Hazar-Susim, and at Bethbiri, and at Saaraim: These were their cities, the David became king. [Oth. As long as David reigned. Understand this thus, to wit, as long as David and his posterity reigned, and the kingdom of Juda yet stood, namely, unto the Babylonish Captivity, but when that was disturbed, then were the posterity of Salomon (that dwelt in the tribe of Juda) likewise disturbed and cast out of their dwellings.]

32. And their villages were Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Asan, five cities: [For wit unwalled. Otherwise that which goeth before may be thus Taken: And besides their villages were Etham, etc. five cities.]

33. And all the villages that were in the circumference of these cities unto Baal: These are their habitations, and their genealogy for them.

34. But Mesobab, and Janlech, and Josa, the son of Amazia.

35. And Joel, and Jehu the son of Jesibja, the son of Seraja, the son of Asiel.

36. And Eljoenai, and Jaacoba, and Isohaja, and Asaja, and Adiel, and Jesimeel, and Benaja.

37. And Ziza the son of Ziphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jejada, the son of Zimri, the son of Semaja.

38. These [To wit, that are named from v.34. hitherto] came to names, [i.e. they came to be men of note] being Princes in their families, and the families of their Fathers brake forth in multitude. [i.e. they were greatly increased or multiplied.]

39. And they went to the entrance of Gedor [Otherwise called Gedera, or, Giderothaim, Judg.15.36.] to the East-(side) of the valley, [understand here that valley which reached from Ephes-Dammim unto Ekron, as appeareth by 1 Sam.17.1. and 52.] to seek pasture for their sheep.

40. And they found fat and good pasture, and a land wide in compass, [Heb. wide in hands] and still, and quiet; for those of Cham dwelt there in former time. [this is here added, to shew that the Israelites had just cause to take these cities, and to drive out thence the ancient inhabitants, to wit, because the posterity of cursed Cham had them in their possession. See of Cham, Gen.9.25.]

41. Now these that are described by name, came in the days of Hizkia the King of Juda, and they smote the tents and habitations of those that were found there, [To wit, the tents of Chams posterity, and understand here the inhabitants of the tents and habitations] and they burned them, [i.e. they utterly destroyed them, as that which was banned of God] unto this day, [to wit, wherein this was written; understand unto the tune of Ezra, who wrote this book, about which time the kingdom of David, and of his posterity ended. See the annotate. Above ver.31.] and they dwelt in their room: for there was pasture for their sheep.

42. (There) went also of them, to wit, of the children of Simeon, five hundred men to mount Seir: And Pelatja, and Nearja, and Rephaja, and Uzziel, the sons of Isei, were their heads (or captains.)

43. And they smote the rest of those that escaped among the Amalekites: [To wit, those that were left, and made an escaped, when Saul destroyed the Amlekites, 1 Sam.14.48. and which also afterward escaped Davids hands, 2 Sam.8.12.] And they dwelt there unto this day.