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).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,'but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore,
this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.
For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him.
And by the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sherebiah with his sons and kinsmen, 18;
For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him."
He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.
and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God. He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. He met God at Bethel, and there God spoke with us--
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you."
And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.