Bible Commentaries

The ^a sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.

(a) Meaning, they came from Judah, as nephews and kinsmen: for only Pharez was his natural son.

And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These [are] the sons of Hur, the ^b firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem.

(b) The first born of his mother, and not the eldest of his father.

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name ^c Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

(c) Otherwise called Othniel, (Judges 1:13).

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and ^d 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.

(d) It is to be understood that then he would accomplish his vow which he made.

And Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the ^e father of the valley of Charashim; for they were craftsmen.

(e) The Lord of the valley where the artificers worked.

And the sons of Caleb the son of ^f Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz.

(f) Called also Esrom.

These [were] the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: ^g there they dwelt with the king for his work.

(g) They were David's gardeners and served him in his works.

The sons of Simeon [were], Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, [and] ^h Shaul:

(h) His son Obed is omitted here.

And they dwelt at ⁱ Beersheba, and Moladah, and Hazarshual,

(i) These cities belonged to Judah, (Joshua 19:2), and were given to the tribe of Simeon.

And at Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusim, and at Bethbirei, and at Shaaraim. These [were] their cities unto the reign of ^k David.

(k) Then David restored them to the tribe of Judah.

And they ^l went to the entrance of Gedor, [even] unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.

(l) For the tribe of Simeon was so great in number, that in the time of Hezekiah they sought new dwellings to Gedor, which is in the tribe of Dan.

And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were ^m escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.

(m) And were not slain by Saul and David.