Justin Houtz

1 Chronicles 4, John 14

DateVersionReading Plan
December 8, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

1 Chronicles 4

Observation & Interpretation

1 Chron. 4:9-10 – Jabez was singled out and described as being more honorable that his brothers.

  • Most translations…indicate [that] Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. However, understanding kaved in the physical sense would indicate that Jabez was heavier than his brothers. This reading makes better sense of his mother’s statement that she bore him in pain. (FSB)

1 Chron. 4:10 – Jabez prayed to the God of Israel to enlarge his border, for the LORD’s hand to be with him and keep him from harm and pain.

  • This is the first example in Chronicles of answered prayer, with more to follow (e.g., 5:20-22; 2 Chron. 15:1-15; 20:1-23), and also the first of 246 instances of “the God of Israel,” highlighting the Lord’s relationship with his people. (ESVEC – Comment)

1 Chron. 4:27 – The Chronicler described that Shimea’s brothers and all their clan did not multiply like the men of Judah.

  • The decline in the size of the tribe is attributed here to its low birth rate. (FSB)

1 Chrom. 4:39-40 – Some Simeonites retained their identity into the time of Hezekiah when they took some fertile land from a group of Hamites. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy since they went on this military adventure to acquire further pasture land while the Assyrians were rampaging throughout the country. (CSB Notes)

John 14

Observation & Interpretation

John 14:8 – Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father and said that is enough for them.

  • Philip wanted the Lord to give some special revelation of the Father, and that would be all he would ask. He did not understand that 3everything the Lord was, and did, and said, as a revelation of the Father. (BBC)

John 4:16 – Jesus told the disciples that He will give them “another Helper”.

  • Jesus Himself is a Helper as well.
  • The Lord Jesus is our Advocate or Helper, and the Holy Spirit is another Helper—not another of a different kind, but another of similar nature. The Holy Spirit would abide with believers forever. (BBC)

John 4:30-31 – Jesus told the disciples that the ruler has no claim on Him, but He does as the Father has commanded Him, that the world may know that he loves the Father.

  • Jesus’ expression of His love for the Father was obedience.
  • In juxtaposition to the rulers of earth, Jesus is God’s Son, the means by which the universe (which the rulers oft his world rule within) was created and one with God the Father (1:1; 3:16; 14:7). Jesus follows God the Father’s will. (FSB)

John 14:1-14 – Anxiety’s antidote is active trust. (ESVEC – Comment)

  • Christian theologians have understood the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Spirit to be the origin of human community. God created us as persons who are able to interact with one another because of the way that Father, Son, and Spirit have always existed in communion with one another. (ESVEC – Comment)

Resources