1
The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.
2
Reaiah, the son of Shobal, fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the people of Zorah.
3
These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi;
4
and Penuel, father of Gedor, and Ezer, father of Hushah. These were the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, father of Bethlehem.
5
Ashhur, father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
6
Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and the Ahashtarites. These were the sons of Naarah.
7
The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan.
8
Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel son of Harum.
9
Jabez was more honored than his brothers; his mother named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.”
10
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, so that pain would not come upon me!” And God granted his request.
11
Kelub, the brother of Shuhah, fathered Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.
12
Eshton fathered Beth-Rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah, father of Ir-Nahash. These were the men of Recah.
13
The sons of Kenaz were Othniel and Seraiah; and the sons of Othniel were Hathath and Meonothai;
14
and Meonothai fathered Ophrah. Seraiah fathered Joab, father of the Valley of Craftsmen, for they were craftsmen.
15
The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh were Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the descendants of Elah were Kenaz.
16
The sons of Jehallelel were Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.
17
The sons of Ezrah were Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. These were the sons of Bithiah, daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered married. She bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah, father of Eshtemoa.
18
His wife, a Judean woman, bore Jered, father of Gedor, and Heber, father of Soco, and Jekuthiel, father of Zanoah.
19
The sons of Hodiah’s wife, the sister of Naham, were the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maacathite.
20
The sons of Shimon were Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan, and Tilon. The sons of Ishi were Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.
21
The descendants of Shelah son of Judah were Er, father of Lecah, and Laadah, father of Mareshah, and the clans of the workers in fine linen at Beth Ashbea,
22
and Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, and Joash and Saraph, who ruled over Moab and then returned to Bethlehem. These records are ancient.
23
These were the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah; they lived there and worked for the king.
24
The sons of Simeon were Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Saul;
25
The sons of this one were Shallum; the sons of this one were Mibsam; the sons of this one were Mishma.
26
The descendants of Mishma were Hammuel his son; the sons of this one were Zaccur; the sons of this one were Shimei.
27
Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers did not have many children, and all their clan did not increase as much as the sons of Judah.
28
They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual,
29
Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,
30
Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,
31
Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities until David became king.
32
And their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan, five settlements;
33
also all their villages around these settlements as far as Baal. These were their dwelling places, and they had their own genealogies.
34
And Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah,
35
Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah son of Seraiah son of Asiel,
36
Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,
37
Ziza son of Shiphi son of Allon son of Jedaiah son of Shimri son of Shemaiah —
38
these men, named by name, were leaders among their clans. Their families increased greatly.
39
Therefore they moved toward Gedor, to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
40
They found rich, good pasture; the land was broad, peaceful, and quiet; the people who had lived there before them were from Ham.
41
These men whose names are written came in the days of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and destroyed the tents of the Hamites and the Meunites who were found there, and they struck them down; so it is to this day. Then they settled in their place, because there was pasture there for their flocks.
42
And some of them, from the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to Mount Seir. Their leaders were Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
43
They destroyed the remnant of Amalek who had escaped. And they have lived there to this day.
📜💎🙏 Summary of 1 Chronicles 4 – The Genealogy of Judah and the Prayer of Jabez
1 Chronicles 4 continues the genealogy of the tribe of Judah, but this chapter is also known for inserting the brief yet powerful story of Jabez, a man not prominent in genealogy, yet remembered for his remarkable prayer of faith. In addition, it mentions part of the descendants of Simeon and the regions they inhabited.
The Book of Chronicles emphasizes identity and spiritual heritage, and this chapter shows that personal faith can shine even amid a list of genealogical names.
📌 1. Judah’s Descendants and Local Figures (verses 1–23)
➡️ The descendants of Judah are listed through smaller family lines, such as Perez, Hur, Ashel, and Caleb
➡️ Many are recorded in connection with craftsmen, fine linen workers, or local community groups
➡️ This shows the social and economic complexity in the life of the tribe of Judah
🎯 God cares not only for kings, but also for the lives of ordinary people.
📌 2. Jabez’s Prayer – A Highlight of Faith in the Midst of a Genealogy (verses 9–10)
➡️ Jabez was more honored than his brothers — his name means “pain”
➡️ But he called on the God of Israel:
“Oh that You would bless me greatly, enlarge my territory, be with me, and keep me from harm!”
➡️ And the Lord granted his request
🎯 Personal faith and earnest prayer can change a life, even if we come from a difficult background.
📌 3. The Descendants of Simeon and Their Territory (verses 24–43)
➡️ The genealogy of the tribe of Simeon, one of the smaller tribes of Israel
➡️ They occupied areas in southern Judah and carried out conquests against the Meunim
➡️ It is recorded that they succeeded in settling in a broad territory, because “they sought the Lord, and He answered them.” (verse 41)
🎯 A nation’s success is determined by its faithfulness to the Lord, not merely by military strength.
📖 Main Teaching
- The Lord cares about every individual in the history of His people
- Personal faith can change destiny and become a spiritual legacy
- Sincere and bold prayer touches the heart of God
- Faithfulness to the Lord brings success and peace
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 James 5:16
“The prayer of a righteous person, when prayed with confidence, is very powerful.”
➡️ Like Jabez’s prayer, active faith brings God’s power into our lives.
📖 Ephesians 3:20
“He is able to do far more than all we ask or think…”
➡️ Jabez prayed big — and the Lord blessed beyond expectations.
📖 Hebrews 11:6
“Whoever comes to God must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
➡️ Jabez and the descendants of Simeon were blessed because they sought the Lord earnestly.
🕊️ “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel…” – 1 Chronicles 4:10
🕊️ “Oh, that You would bless me indeed…” – 1 Chronicles 4:10
🕊️ “And God granted his request.” – 1 Chronicles 4:10
🕊️ “For they sought the Lord, and He answered them.” – 1 Chronicles 4:41
