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, says, 'I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before me forever.' But now the LORD says, 'Be it far from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
God gave Solomon wisdom and exceptional insight, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the seashore.
this Ezra went up from Babylon: and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God on him.
For on the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon; and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God on him.
According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen;
For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him."
He brought me forth also into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
You have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a large place.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen evil.
Out of my distress, I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me with freedom.
In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended with God. Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us,
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Let us not come into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'
Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you."
When he was at the place, he said to them, "Pray that you do not enter into temptation."
and said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."
I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
All discipline seems for the moment painful, not joyful; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby.
Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.