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1, 11 The posterity of Judah by Caleb the son of Hur. 5 Of Ashur the posthumous son of Hezron. 9 Of Jabez, and his prayer. 21 The posterity of Shelah. 24 The posterity and cities of Simeon. 39 Their conquest of Gedor, and of the Amalekites in mount Seir.

HE sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron,

Tand "Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.

2 And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai, and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites.

3 And these were of the father of Etam; Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash: and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi:

4 And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Beth-lehem.

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

6 And Naarah bare him Ahuzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.

7 And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan.

8 And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.

9¶ And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name 'Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with

sorrow.

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

11 And Chelub the brother of Shuah begat Mehir, which was the father of Eshton.

12 And Eshton begat Beth-rapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of "Irnahash. These are the men of Rechah.

13 And the sons of Kenaz; Othniel, and Seraiah: and the sons of Othniel; 7Hathath.

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

15 And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, 1o even Kenaz.

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16 And the sons of Jehaleleel; Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asareel.

17 And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she bare

Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

18 And his wife "Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took.

19 And the sons of his wife 12 Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite.

20 And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Ben-zoheth.

21 ¶The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,

22 And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubi-lehem. And these are ancient things.

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

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24 ¶ The sons of Simeon were, 13 Nemuel, and Jamin, "Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul:

25 Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son.

26 And the sons of Mishma; Hamuel his son, Zacchur his son, Shimei his son.

27 And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply, 15 like to the children of Judah.

28 And they dwelt at Beer-sheba, and Moladah, and Hazar-shual,

29 And at 16 Bilhah, and at Ezem, and at 17 Tolad,

30 And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,

31 And at Beth-marcaboth, and 18 Hazarsusim, and at Beth-birei, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities unto the reign of David.

32 And their villages were, "Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities:

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Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, praying children, never let them say, I have the son of Shemaiah; borne him with sorrow. Praying children will make joyful parents and praising saints.

38 These mentioned by their names were princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly.

39¶ And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.

40 And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for they of Ham had dwelt there of old.

41 And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks.

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

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

(1) Or, Chelubai, ch. ii. 9; or, | (12)
Caleb, ch. ii. 18.

(2) Or, Haroeh, ch. ii. 52.
(3) That is, Sorrowful.
(4) Heb. If thou wilt, &c.
(5) Heb. do me,

(6) Or, the city of Nahash.
(7) Or, Hathath, and Meonothai,
who begat, &c.

(8) Or, inhabitants of the valley.
(9) That is, Craftsmen.
(10) Or, Uknaz.

(11) Or, the Jewess.

Or, Jehudijah, mentioned before.

(13) Or, Jemuel, Gen. xlvi. 10; Ex. vi. 15; Num. xxvi. 12. (14) Or, Jachin, Zohar. (15) Heb. unto.

(16) Or, Balah, Josh. xix. 3. (17) Or, Eltolad, Josh. xix. 4. (18) Or, Hazar-susah, Josh. xix. 5. (19) Or, Ether, Josh. xix. 7. (20) Or, Baal-ath-beer, Josh. xix.8. (21) Or, as they divided themselves by nations among them.

(22) Heb. coming.

THE names of the sons of Judah are recorded in this chapter; and some of these will suggest much practical improvement. Two in particular shall be noticed in this place.

The prayer of Jabez. His mother called His mother called him Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. How often are parents disappointed in respect of their children! sometimes painfully, sometimes pleasingly so. Eve called her first-born Cain, and thought she had gotten a treasure; but he proved to be a murderer. Her next she called Abel, a sorrowful little thing; but he was a saint, a martyr, a child of God. In the present case, Jabez received his name because he was born in sorrow. It was a sorrowful birth to his mother; or, perhaps, she was sorry he was born at all. But he proved a most eminent saint, and became a source of unspeakable praise and thanksgiving. When parents have

"And

Let us attend to this man's prayer. Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and 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." Is not this a lovely specimen of the true spirit of effectual prayer? To whom did he pray? He called on the God of Israel. The God that heard and answered Jacob in the day of his distress; the God that blessed him when he changed his name to Israel; the God that promised to be with him, and keep him in all places, and never leave nor forsake him, was the God on whom Jabez called.

And for what did he pray? First, that he might be really and truly blessed. "Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed." Then, that his coast might be "enlarged;" that he might spread abroad on the right hand and on the left. Then, that the power and strength of the Lord might "be with him," that he might prosper in all his ways. Then, that he might be kept from all "evil" and all sin, that it might not "grieve" him; and that he might not grieve the good Spirit of God by committing it. Is not this the prayer of every child of God? Does not every believer in Jesus ask for the same blessings and the same mercies? Is this your prayer? Do you pray the Lord to bless you; to enlarge your heart in his ways, truth, and salvation; to be with you; and to keep you from all evil? Try the state of your heart by the nature of your prayers. God granted him what he desired. So will he grant to you the desire of your soul for the sake of Jesus. Ask, and receive; that your joy may be full.

The other name is that of Caleb. Jabez was a man of prayer. Caleb was a man of faith. When the spies brought back an evil report of the good land, he told the truth. He stilled their fears. He believed in the Lord. There was "another spirit" in him. The people doubted, feared, distrusted the Lord; he was confident, courageous, believing. They were cut off; he was preserved. They were shut out; he entered in.

12 Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan.

13 And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven.

They distrusted the Lord, and perished in the wilderness; he confided in his truth, and was brought in safety to his appointed inheritance. Do you not see here the value of faith, and the peril of unbelief? The case is just the same under the gospel. He that believeth shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall perish in his sins. (John viii. 24.) of the Pray, then, for faith. Cherish the spirit of faith. Be strong in faith; and you will glorify God.

CHAPTER V.

The line of Reuben (who lost his birthright) unto the captivity. 9 Their habitation and conquest of the Hagarites. 11 The chief men and habitations of Gad. 18 The number and conquest of Reuben, Gad, and the half of Manasseh. 23 The habitations and chief men of that half tribe. 25 Their captivity for their sin.

NOW

TOW the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief 'ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's :)

3 The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

4 The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,

5 Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his

son,

6 Beerah his son, whom 2Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.

7 And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,

8 And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baal-meon :

9 And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead.

10 And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents 'throughout all the east land of Gilead.

11 ¶ And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah:

14 These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;

15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers.

16 And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.

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17 All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

18 The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.

19 And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.

20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.

21 And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.

22 For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.

23¶ And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baal-hermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.

24 And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, 'famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers.

25¶ And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.

26 And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,

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SOME of the names and events recorded in this chapter will suggest many profitable hints for improvement.

The case of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, is full of warning and reproof. He lost his birthright, which was taken from him on account of his sins, and given to another son. Profane Esau despised the birthright, and sold it for a mess of pottage, because he was faint and weary. Reuben lost the birthright because of his great wickedness. Neither of them placed any value upon the distinction, as their actions clearly proved. Do not some act, in regard to the gospel salvation, as they did respecting their family distinction, and all that was connected with it? Do not many despise the Saviour, and make light of his great salvation? For the sake of any gratification, any mess the world can offer or Satan lay before them, are they not ready to renounce all hope of mercy, and all prospect of that salvation which the gospel reveals? Do not others sin away both their mercies and their souls? By their impenitence and unbelief; by their carelessness and negligence; by their thoughtlessness and unconcern; do not many waste their time, their opportunities, their means of grace, and many mercies; and provoke God to swear in his wrath that they shall never enter into his rest? Look at the character now before

us.

Ages after the event took place, the fact is reiterated with a loud and solemn warning. And, as Esau, so neither Reuben, nor any other sinner, when the blessing is irretrievably gone, will find any place for repentance, though they carefully seek it with tears. Beware, then, of slighting spiritual blessings. Beware of sinning away spiritual mercies. (Heb. x. 26-31; and xii. 15-17.)

Judah, it is said, prevailed above his brethren; and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's. This is remarkable. Reuben lost the birthright:

Who

This

Joseph had it. But the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright (v. 1). He to whom it belonged by nature, as the firstborn, and he to whom it was given by choice, are both laid aside in the order of the genealogy to make way for another, to whom the birthright in neither respect belonged. Why was this? Because of a superior distinction belonging to that tribe. Judah prevailed above all his brethren; because of him came the Chief Ruler. was that Chief Ruler? The prophet Micah (v. 2), and the evangelist Matthew (ch. ii. 6), answer that question. It is Jesus Christ the Lord: he is the chief ruler. He is the prince of the kings of the earth. He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. gave the peculiar honour to Judah. Christ is head over all; and he was to descend from that tribe. "It is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah." (Heb. vii. 14.) See, then, the glorious character of Christ. He is the chief ruler; the great captain of our salvation. The government of the church, and of all worlds, and all things, for the sake of the church, is vested in him. Hence, he is mighty to save. Hence, of all names, his is the most eminent; most instructive; most glorious. Other names are edifying in a degree: his name surpasses all: his name is above every name. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear." (Philip. ii. 9—11.)

The deliverance of the Reubenites, farther on in the chapter, demands our notice. In their conflict with the Hagarites, when sorely pressed, they "cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him” (v. 20). Is not this a word in season to us all? Are you sorely pressed in your spiritual warfare? Have you fights without and fears within? Remember the prayer of the Reubenites. Nothing could avail them, but the Lord's help. They were skilful and valiant (v. 18); but neither skill nor valour could prevail against their enemies.

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2 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.

3 And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

4 ¶ Eleazar begat Phinchas, Phinehas begat Abishua,

5 And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,

6 And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,

7 Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,

8 And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,

9 And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,

10 And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem :)

11 And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,

12 And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,

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13 And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,

14 And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,

15 And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

16¶The sons of Levi; 'Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

17 And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.

18 And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.

19 The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.

20 Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

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22 The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,

23 Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,

24 Tahath his son, 'Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.

25 And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.

26 As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; 10 Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,

27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.

28 And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn "Vashni, and Abiah.

29 The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his Uzza his son, son, 30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.

31 And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.

32 And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.

33 And these are they that 12 waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,

34 The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of 13 Toah,

35 The son of "Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,

36 The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, 37 The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,

38 The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.

39 And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,

40 The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,

41 The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,

42 The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,

43 The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.

44 And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: 16 Ethan the son of 17 Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

45 The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,

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