1 Chronicles 4

Passage overview

1 Chronicles 4 focuses on the genealogies of the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Simeon among the twelve tribes of Israel. Verses 1–23 deal with the descendants of the tribe of Judah, while verses 24–43 cover the genealogy of the tribe of Simeon, along with their settlements and history. Overall, this is a chapter made up of genealogies, but it also mentions meaningful individuals, especially Jabez. This kind of arrangement highlights the importance of the roots and identity of the Israelite community and draws attention to people who lived faithfully, devoted to God.

1verseThe sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.

2verseReaiah the son of Shobal became the father of Jahath; and Jahath became the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites.

3verseThese were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash. The name of their sister was Hazzelelponi.

4versePenuel was the father of Gedor and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.

5verseAshhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

6verseNaarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.

7verseThe sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan.

8verseHakkoz became the father of Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.

9verseJabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him with sorrow.”

10verseJabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border! May your hand be with me, and may you keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” God granted him that which he requested.

11verseChelub the brother of Shuhah became the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.

12verseEshton became the father of Beth Rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir Nahash. These are the men of Recah.

13verseThe sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah. The sons of Othniel: Hathath.

14verseMeonothai became the father of Ophrah: and Seraiah became the father of Joab the father of Ge Harashim, for they were craftsmen.

15verseThe sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam. The son of Elah: Kenaz.

16verseThe sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.

17verseThe sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon; and Mered’s wife bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

18verseHis wife the Jewess bore Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. These are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took.

19verseThe sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite.

20verseThe sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben Hanan, and Tilon. The sons of Ishi: Zoheth, and Ben Zoheth.

21verseThe sons of Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of those who worked fine linen, of the house of Ashbea;

22verseand Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. These records are ancient.

23verseThese were the potters, and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah; they lived there with the king for his work.

24verseThe sons of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul;

25verseShallum his son, Mibsam his son, and Mishma his son.

26verseThe sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son.

27verseShimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers didn’t have many children, and all their family didn’t multiply like the children of Judah.

28verseThey lived at Beersheba, Moladah, Hazarshual,

29verseat Bilhah, at Ezem, at Tolad,

30verseat Bethuel, at Hormah, at Ziklag,

31verseat Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susim, at Beth Biri, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities until David’s reign.

32verseTheir villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan, five cities;

33verseand all their villages that were around the same cities, as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept their genealogy.

34verseMeshobab, Jamlech, Joshah the son of Amaziah,

35verseJoel, Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel,

36verseElioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,

37verseand Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah—

38versethese mentioned by name were princes in their families. Their fathers’ houses increased greatly.

39verseThey went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.

40verseThey found rich, good pasture, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceful, for those who lived there before were descended from Ham.

41verseThese written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and struck their tents and the Meunim who were found there; and they destroyed them utterly to this day, and lived in their place, because there was pasture there for their flocks.

42verseSome of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to Mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.

43verseThey struck the remnant of the Amalekites who escaped, and have lived there to this day.

Jabez’s Prayer

In 1 Chronicles 4:9–10, the story of a uniquely named person, Jabez, is added among the genealogies. He is called “the honorable one,” and is especially known for a short but powerful prayer in which he asks God for blessings. Beyond a mere record of bloodlines, this passage shows a posture of faith that entrusts one’s life to God and longs for His help. We can tell that the recorder valued not only genealogy, but also the influence of faith.

Changes and Settlement of the Tribe of Simeon

Starting in verse 24, the genealogy of the tribe of Simeon is presented, describing the land they sought and the process they went through. As the land they had claimed became insufficient, they set out to find new places to live and, in the end, succeed in obtaining a fine land. This shows the diverse and dynamic histories of each tribe in Israel and suggests how each community member finds their own place and role within the community.

Meditation Points

  • Even in the simple listing of genealogies and names, let us pay attention to how precious the faith and prayer of one person, Jabez, are recorded.
  • As we think about life centered on tribes, families, and the community, let us consider what meaning the individual relationship with God and the choice to believe carry.

Applying It to Me

  • In the history of my own life, think about whether I can also offer prayers like Jabez—prayers that seek honestly before God and trust Him.
  • Let us meditate on where my place is in today’s homes and communities, and what kind of influence my faith has there as we live our way forward.