Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Chronicles 4:10

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel , saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed , and enlarge my coast , and that thine hand might be with me , and that thou wouldest keep me from evil , that it may not grieve me . And God granted him that which he requested.

When he was undertaking some great and dangerous Service.

I trust not to my own or Peoples Valour, but onely to thy Blessing and Help.

Drive out these Wicked and Cursed Canaanites, whom thou hast commanded us to root out, and therefore I justly beg and expect thy Blessing in the Execution of thy Command.

To protect and strengthen me against my Adversaries.

Or, work with (for so the Hebrew Prefix Mem is sometimes used, as Cant. 1. 2. & 3. 9. Isa, 5. 7, 8.) evil, i. e. so restrain and govern it.

That it may not oppress and overcome me, which will be very grievous to me. The consequent put for the antecedent; and more is understood than is expressed. He useth this Expression in allusion to his Name, which signifies grief, q. d. Lord▪ let me not have that Grief which my Name implies, and which my Sin deserves.

Marginal references: Heb. If tho[illegible: 1+ letters] wilt, &c.; Heb. Do [illegible: 1 word]