1 Chronicles 4: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Chronicles 4 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The sons of Judah are named, including Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal (vv. 1-4). Reaiah, Shobal's son, is the father of Jahath, whose descendants are the Zorathites. Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah, who bore him several sons (vv. 5-10). Among these descendants, Jabez stands out as more honorable than his brothers. He prays to God, asking for blessing and protection, and God grants his request. Further generations are listed, with Chelub and his descendants, including Joab, who was a craftsman (vv. 11-20). Simeon's descendants are also named, along with their settlements in various cities like Beersheba and Ziklag (vv. 21-30). Finally, some warriors from Simeon went to Mount Seir and struck down remnants of the Amalekites (vv. 31-43).

Key verse

“Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border! May your hand be with me, and may you keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” God granted him that which he requested.”
1 Chronicles 4:10 (WEB)

Outline

1 Chronicles 4:1–4 Sons of Judah and Early Lineage
1 Chronicles 4:5–10 The Family of Ashhur and Jabez
1 Chronicles 4:11–20 Further Generations and Cities
1 Chronicles 4:21–30 Simeon's Descendants and Settlements
1 Chronicles 4:31–43 Simeon's Warriors and Actions

Discussion questions

In v6, why does Ashhur have two wives named Helah and Naarah?
What does Jabez’s mother mean when she names him Jabez in v9?
In vv. 9-10, why does Jabez emphasize his desire to not cause pain?
In v41, what does it mean that the Meunim were destroyed 'utterly to this day'?
When have you felt a desire to ask God for something like Jabez did in v10?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Chronicles 4: Isaiah 41, Matthew 7, Psalm 116.

Before next time: read 1 Chronicles 5.