Reference: Jabez (1)
Fausets
("sorrowful".) In the genealogy connected with Bethlehem his name is explained by the sorrow with which his mother bore him; also by his prayer "that evil might not grieve him," i.e., though his name expressed sorrow, that God would preserve him from it. His prayer is one of the most comprehensive in the Bible, and shines forth like a brilliant star in the midst of a genealogical catalog of names; probably offered in setting out in life, an admirable model for youths.
Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed (God alone knows what is not only seemingly, but indeed, good for us, not earthly shadows but heavenly realities, and all things here that tend toward them) and enlarge my coast, not merely in temporal but in spiritual interests (1Ki 4:29; Ps 18:19; 31:8; 118:5), "and that Thine hand might be with me (as 'the hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him': Ezr 8:18,22; 7:6,9), and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil," etc. (Mt 6:13; Joh 17:15; Lu 22:40,46; 1Co 10:13; 2Pe 2:9; Re 3:10).
Evil may assail, but cannot finally "grieve," the believer. Jabez, the son of sorrow, by prayerful faith inherited joy in the end (Mt 5:4; Ps 90:15; Heb 12:11). Prayer was the secret of his being "more honourable than his brethren" (1Sa 2:30). His name may have been given to the city Jabez, famed for its scribes. The abrupt mention of him shows he was a man of note when Ezra wrote Chronicles. His prayer was to "the God of Israel" with whom Jacob wrestled in prayer, and "by his strength had power with God" (Ho 12:3-4), and so got the new name "Israel." "God granted" him according to the faith of his request (Eph 3:20; Mt 9:29).
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Wherefore Jehovah the God of Israel saith, I said indeed, Thy house and the house of thy father should walk before me for ever. But now Jehovah saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
And God gave Solomon wisdom and very great understanding and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore.
this Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which Jehovah the God of Israel had given. And the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of Jehovah his God upon him.
For upon the first of the first month the project of going up from Babylon was determined on, and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
And by the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely, Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way; for we had spoken to the king saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his anger is against all them that forsake him.
And he brought me forth into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large place.
Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, according to the years wherein we have seen evil.
I called upon Jah in distress; Jah answered me and set me in a large place.
He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he wrestled with God. Yea, he wrestled with the Angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us,
Blessed they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
and lead us not into temptation, but save us from evil.
Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it unto you.
And when he was at the place he said to them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
And he said to them, Why sleep ye? rise up and pray that ye enter not into temptation.
I do not demand that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them out of evil.
But to him that is able to do far exceedingly above all which we ask or think, according to the power which works in us,
But no chastening at the time seems to be matter of joy, but of grief; but afterwards yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those exercised by it.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee out of the hour of trial, which is about to come upon the whole habitable world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.