‘Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.’ (1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NKJV).

In the listing of names in the lineage of Judah, the author of 1 Chronicles paused to comment on a man named Jabez.

What can we know about Jabez from these two verses?

1) He was “more honorable” than his brothers.

2) His mother named him, “Jabez,” meaning “to cause pain, grief or sorrow,” because he caused her such pain in childbirth.

3) He was a praying man.

4) He prayed to the “God of Israel,” not a false god.

5) His prayer revealed that he wanted to overcome the name and situation he had been given at birth.

What did Jabez pray?

1) That God would bless him “indeed” (Double use of “barak,” – “blessing” in Hebrew. Literally, that God would “bless bless” me.) Jabez wanted a double blessing!

2) That God would enlarge his “territory” (“coastlines, boundaries”). He wanted God to grow his influence.

3) That the “hand” of God would be with him. He prayed for God’s continual presence on his life.

4) That God would keep him from evil. This request was similar to Christ’s “deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13) request in His teaching prayer.

5) That God would keep him from causing pain. Or that God would keep him from pain (As most translators see it).

And God “granted” his request. Regardless of our situation at birth, or at present, the Lord is ready to hear our prayers. Jabez did not complain, nor blame. He asked God to bless and be with him. And God is always ready to do just that!