Prayer of Jabez

Judah the most electrifying man apart of Judahs bloodline in 1 Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 4:9–10 NLT

9 There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. 10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.

Jabez was more honorable then all his brothers

His mother named him Jabez because his birth was painful

His prayer

-He prayed for God to expand his territory.

That God would be with him in all that he does.

And to keep him from all trouble and pain.

God granted him his request.

Imagine your name being pain. Because you caused your mother pain during birth.

Imagine how difficult the birth had to be to be named after it.

Imagine you are introduced to neighbors and friends as pain.

1, 2 Chronicles (8) Other Clans of Judah (4:1–23)

” But following an ancient belief that the name represents the character, there was a fear that evil consequences might follow for the boy (cf. Gen 35:18). Jabez called on the God of Israel to turn any possible disaster into blessing. God granted his request and responded to an earnest prayer. The power of God can overcome the liabilities of the past and the present.

Theres a ancient belief that the name represents the character.

Genesis 35:18 NLT

18 Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”).

Imagine your whole life is cursed because of your name.

Someone in Africa had the name Forgiveus lol haha

Hes praying and asking God that he wouldn’t live up to the curse of his name.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible Chapter 4

In this chapter we have a further account of Judah, the most numerous and most famous of all the tribes; also an account of Simeon. The most remarkable person in this chapter is Jabez. We are not told upon what account Jabez was more honourable than his brethren; but we find that he was a praying man. The way to be truly great, is to seek to do God’s will, and to pray earnestly. Here is the prayer he made. Jabez prayed to the living and true God, who alone can hear and answer prayer; and, in prayer he regarded him as a God in covenant with his people. He does not express his promise, but leaves it to be understood; he was afraid to promise in his own strength, and resolved to devote himself entirely to God. Lord, if thou wilt bless me and keep me, do what thou wilt with me; I will be at thy command and disposal for ever. As the text reads it, this was the language of a most ardent and affectionate desire, Oh that thou wouldest bless me! Four things Jabez prayed for. 1. That God would bless him indeed. Spiritual blessings are the best blessings: God’s blessings are real things, and produce real effects. 2. That He would enlarge his coast. That God would enlarge our hearts, and so enlarge our portion in himself, and in the heavenly Canaan, ought to be our desire and prayer. 3. That God’s hand might be with him. God’s hand with us, to lead us, protect us, strengthen us, and to work all our works in us and for us, is a hand all-sufficient for us. 4. That he would keep him from evil, the evil of sin, the evil of trouble, all the evil designs of his enemies, that they might not hurt, nor make him a Jabez indeed, a man of sorrow. God granted that which he requested. God is ever ready to hear prayer: his ear is not now heavy.

Jabez was more honorable because of his prayer life. Because of his relationship with God.

Jabez associated pain with evil.