"coast" suggests an expanded horizon. Carnal sympathies and lack of faith limit to narrow visions of divine truths and holy revelations. Our spiritual relations determine whether soul vision commands outlook from a small bay, or toward broad ocean. To the mother of Jabez his entrance into the world was associated with some special suffering, and she named him "sorrowful.” Years rolled on, God by his prophet knighted him and pronounced him "more honourable than his brethren." Even so now according to our faith will be the significance of our individual history. Let our vision be bounded by time and sense only, and life will be a baptism of grief. Let faith widen our coast, expand our horizon, and all along the coast the lamps of "hope" shall hang, and a 66 more honourable" name be gained than those who refuse the "faith, which is the substance of things not seen, and by which the elders obtained a good report." II. An enlarged "coast" suggests a broader surface. The glory of a coast is its wide sweep of the ocean. There go ships, whose massive keels skim the surface of the waters. There floods lift up their voice, whose swelling waves declare the fulness of its strength. Such in figure is the human soul when possessed and enlarged by the Spirit of God. What sublime possibilities of divine enlargement belong to the heart of man! Sin circumscribes, hems in, and we are "straitened in ourselves." But the coast may be enlarged; hills of difficulty be removed, and mountains of unbelief levelled, until an expanded horizon sheds calm and enlivening radiance all around, and the renewed soul takes up the language of a renewed earth (Is. lx. 4, 5). III. An enlarged "coast" suggests a more extended pathway. Sometimes a narrow strip of land forms the only path when walking on the sea-coast. Then we are in danger of falling, slipping over a precipice; and but for a helping hand many would have thus perished. These words are singularly applicable. Similar are those of the Psalmist, Ps. xviii. 35, 36; cxix. 32 (Prov. iv. 12). This enlarged pathway will secure two things. (1) Safety. "Kept" by the divine hand. No other power to keep. In the king's highway alone is security. This a way of holiness. highway shall be there, it shall be called the way of holiness." (2) Peace. Jabez not only desires safety, but prays that sin may not "grieve him. This a fine test of sincerity of prayer and the cleanness of heart. What various motives, prompt obedience to divine laws! What a great gulph of moral disparity between the sayings, Sin hurts me physically, and sin grieves me spiritually! [The Study, 1874].

HOMILETIC HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.

Ver. 10. The Mighty Hand. Available, ever ready, and always sufficient. A hand of universal control and perpetual activity. "God's right hand doeth valiantly."

Ver. 13. Othniel's adventure (cf. Jos. xv. 15, 16; Judg. i. 12, 13; iii. 9). The brave man waits not for numbers and applause. Enough for him to know the cause is just, that danger threatens, that action is required. "Where duty bids, he confidently steers, Faces a thousand dangers at her call, And, trusting in his God, surmounts

them all.

Vor. 18. The Egyptian convert. Thin passage records a very interesting fact,

"A

the marriage of an Egyptian princess to a descendant of Caleb. 1. The marriage must have taken place in the wilderness. 2. The barriers of a different national language and national religion kept the Hebrews separate from the Egyptians; but they did not wholly prevent intimacies, and even occasional intermarriages between private individuals of the two nations. 3. Ere such unions, however, could be sanctioned, the Egyptian party must have renounced idolatry, and this daughter of Pharaoh, as appears from her name, had become a convert to the worship of the God of Israel [Jamieson].

HOMILETICS.

THE POSTERITY OF SIMEON.-Verses 24-43.

The sons of Simeon are classed with those of Judah, because their possession was partly taken out of the extensive territory of Judah (Jos. xix. 1).

I. The cities they possessed. The same list given (Jos. xix. 2-6) with a little difference in spelling; eighteen given. Virtue and self-control Letter than taking a city (Prov. xvi. 32). II. The conquests they made. In the days of Hezekiah a generation animated to conquests. 1. Some took Gedor (ver. 39). A place in Arabia, the entrance of Gedor, inhabited by Ham's posterity. 2. Others took Mount Seir (ver. 42). Smote the remnant of devoted Amalekites and possessed the country. The curse pronounced on Ham and Amalek, though dormant, was not dead. To Simeon the curse (Gen. xlix. 5-7) was a blessing, to the others a terrible reality. III. The prosperity they enjoyed. 1. Increase of numbers. They increased wonderfully, but not like the children of Judah (ver. 27). 2. Enlargement of boundaries. In possession of limited area, they were forced to seek accommodation elsewhere. They established themselves in the fertile pastures of Gedor (Gerar), which soon proved inadequate, and a new colony settled on Mount Seir. They enjoyed a land of peace and plenty, numerous flocks and quiet habitations. Thank God for fixed homes, but ever guard against the perils of prosperity.

SURVEY OF THE GENEALOGY.-Verses 1-13.

I. How great the obscurity of most men! Not many known and prominent here. But obscurity hides not God. We are great if the world gains by our life and example. II. What folly to seek place and power only here! From place we shall be ejected, and of power we shall be deprived. A family of princes were captives in exile (ver. 22). “Where will ye leave your glory?" III. How needful to secure renown hereafter! Better to have names written in heaven than rolled in lists of honour and published in daily papers. "Rejoice that your names are written in heaven," said the dying Haller, when friends congratulated him on the honour of receiving a visit from the Emperor Joseph II.

ORIGIN AND USE OF ARTS AND INVENTIONS.-Verses 14, 21-23.

I. Useful arts emanate from the wisdom and goodness of God. In early history man taught of God in special callings. Human inventions had no existence save in the purpose of God. Proof from reason and scripture. "This also cometh from the Lord of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working." II. Useful arts are beneficial in their tendency. They mitigate human toil and alleviate suffering; prolong human life, increase sources of comfort, and secure universal peace. III. Therefore all engaged in useful arts promote the welfare of society. It is better to excel in trade than to gain dominions of territory. In the construction of the tabernacle an illustration of this principle. Let us be among the "willing-hearted" and the "wise-hearted," and contribute our share. "Produce! produce! were it but the pitifullest infinitesimal fraction of a product, produce it in God's name! 'Tis the utmost thou hast in thee: out with it, then" [Carlyle].

HOMILETIC HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.

Ver. 32. These cities unto reign of David. In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs, but were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah [Jamieson]. Hence danger of delay.

Ver. 33. Habitations and genealogy; or Homes and Registers.

Ver. 38. Princes in Families. Thirteen names corresponding with number of cities in first list (verses 28-31), so that the princes mentioned were registered chiefs of those cities in the time of Hezekiah (see ver. 41)[Speak. Com.]. 1. Families and kingdoms of divine appointment. 2. Rulers of families and kingdoms represented God and order, justice and truth. 3. Hence subjection needful for order, happiness, and success.

Ver. 40. Fat pastures. 1. Prepared

by God, natural formation. 2. Discovered by God's direction. They found, did not create. Application in comfortable homes, favourable situations and spiritual refreshment.

Ver. 43. Doom of Amalek. Sin not forgotten, judgment not neglected nor fails in execution. Curses may be dormant but not dead. "Preservation from the sword of Joshua (Ex. xvii. 13), of Saul (1 Sam. xv. 7), and of David (2 Sam. viii. 12) was but a reservation to this utter destruction, which God had solemnly sworn, with hand laid upon his own throne (Ex. xvii. 16)." [Trapp].

Vers. 39-43. A fragment of famous history. Learn from this chronicle of events 1. Expedition first, under thirteen leaders, with many followers, against Hamites and Mehurrim. 2. Expedition second, smaller, but more adventurous. Under four chiefs, a band of 500 smote powerful enemies and possessed their quarters. Be valiant for God spiritually.

ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER IV.

Ver. 9. Honourable. Virtue and honour are such inseparable companions that the heathens would admit no man into the temple of honour who did not pass through the temple of virtue.

"If it be of a sin to covet honour,

I am the most offending soul alive"

[Shakespeare].

Ver. 10. Evil. The greatest evil is sin. 1. In the nature of it, as being contrary to the greatest good, even God. 2. In the effect and consequences of it here and hereafter. 3. Therefore to pray against sin is to pray against all other evils whatever; for the devil, the evil one, cannot hurt us but by sin [Bishop Hopkins].

Be with me. Ora et labora is the legend of the Christian's faith, and the plan of his life. His fervent

prayer begets honest, manly, unshrinking work; his work as it is faithful and it is faithful in proportion as he realises it is for God, throws him back upon prayer [Stevenson].

Vers. 14, 21, 23. Craftsmen, potters, &c. If all men affected one and the same trade of life or pleasure of recreation, it were not possible they could live one by another; neither could there be any use of commerce, whereby life is maintained. It is good reason we should make a right use of this gracious dispensation of the Almighty, that we should improve our several dispositions and faculties to the advancing of the common stock, and that we should neither encroach upon each other's profession nor be apt to censure each other's recreation [Bishop Hall].

CHAPTER V.

CRITICAL NOTES.] This oh. contains Reuben, Gad, and the half of Manasseh east of Jordan, with two episodes, one on the wars of these tribes, and the other on the removal by Tilgath pilneser. The upper Assyrian monarchy began 1273 B.C., the lower 747 B.C. [Murphy].

Vers. 1-10.-Reuben lost his birthright. The priesthood given to Levi; the double portion (Deu. xxi. 17) to Joseph, whose sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, reckoned as distinct tribes. Judah had supremacy, ver. 2. Chief ruler, prince, i.e., David, and eventually Messiah (Mic. v. 1). Ver. 3, sons four, as Gen. xlvi. 9; Ex. vi. 14. Vers. 4-6. The line of Joel. Ver. 7. Brethren, kinsmen of Joel, chief was Jeiel. Ver. 10. Hagarites, Hagarenes (Ps. lxxxiii. 6), a tribe of North Arabia, perhaps Agraioi of Strabo [Speak. Com.], or Ismaelites as descendants of Hagar.

Vers. 11-17.-Gad. Chiefs, ver. 12, and seven others, ver. 13. "Their pedigree traced back ten generations. For Buz and Ahi are really parts of one name, Buzahi, for which Sept. has Ahibuz by transposing parts. Not informed to what family Guni belonged [Murphy], must have been contemporary with Solomon or David, therefore before the secession of ten tribes.

Vers. 18-22.-Wars of Eastern tribes with Arabs. Jetur and Nephish (Naphish) among descendants of Ismael in Chr. i. 31, and in Gen. xxv. 15. Of Ñodab, nothing known. Hagarites made raids from desert. Hence war in self-defence. Confederate tribes prevailed over invaders. Booty indicates dense population and extensive campaign; "may be compared with that from Midianites (Num. xxxi. 32-35), and does not exceed amount which kings of Assyria constantly carried off in raids upon tribes of no great note or name" [Speak. Com.]. Captivity of Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings xv. 29).

Vers. 23-26.-Half Manasseh, north of Gad. Three names given of three parts or "summits" of Antilebanon. Valour or special_bravery of Manassites (cf. ch. xii. 21). Famous, i.e., "men of names," celebrated men. Transgressed, a long description in 2 Kings xvii. He carried, i.e., Tilgath. Pul only levied tribute on the land. Deported to places named, as parts of region to which remainder of ten tribes removed by Shalmaneser.

HOMILETICS.

THE FORFEITED BLESSING.-Verses 1–3.

Reuben, rash and impulsive, lost splendid position and power through passion (Gen. xlix. 4). I. The sin through which the blessing was lost. A most abominable and iniquitous act, worthy of death under law of Moses (Lev. xviii. 8), and not to be mentioned among Christians (1 Cor. v. 1). Sin dethrones from excellency, stamps disgrace upon character, and entails loss upon posterity. II. The persons to whom the blessing was bestowed. Taken from one and given to another. 1. Joseph's sons had double portion. Ephraim and Manasseh reckoned distinct tribes; blessed by the expressed will of Jacob (Gen. xlviii. 22) and in the partition of Canaan (Jos. xvi., xvii.). 2. Judah had pre-eminence. Honour to Judah, and birthright to Joseph. One need not envy the other. (a) In power. The sceptre assigned to Judah (Gen. xlix. 10). (b) In dignity. From him came chief ruler David first, and afterwards the Saviour. Those related to Christ, the Prince of Peace, have a better portion than men endowed with wealth and perishing honour. III. The principle on which the blessing was given. The writer careful to explain why Judah was made supreme. "The genealogy not reckoned after the birthright;" not in natural, but in providential order; "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

THE LINE OF REUBEN.-Verses 1-10.

I. The chief of the tribe. The genealogy traced to Beerah, the head of the clan, when carried into Assyria (ver. 6). What are termed “unfortunate positions" and "evil days" are controlled, if not created, by God. "My times are in thy hand." II. The privileges of the tribe. Degraded, but not entirely disinherited. Sullied honour not always lost happiness. Reuben's sons had their share of honour and estate, were "valiant" in war, and “helped" in victory. Their inheritance received before Judah or Ephraim. III. The enlargements of the tribe (vers. 9, 10). They increased in cattle and population, crowded out their neighbours, and extended conquests into the wilderness and near the Euphrates. IV. The disinheritance of the tribe. The prediction exactly fulfilled in history, "Thou shalt not excel." Reuben made no figure, and produced no judge, prophet, or eminent person. He lingered among the sheepfolds, preferred the shepherd's pipe to the trumpet of battle. Robbed of pre-eminence, his individuality fades away. Remote from the centre of government and religion, he lost faith in Jehovah, "went after other gods," and finally carried off into captivity.

UNITY AND ITS ACHIEVEMENTS.-Verses 11-22.

The three tribes united went to war and gained victory. I. A description of the army (ver. 18). 1. Courageous in character. "Sons of valour." 2. Skilful in the use of weapons. "Men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with the bow and skilful in war." 3. Aggressive in spirit. "Went out to war." 4. Great in number. "Four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore." II. The method in which they fought (ver. 20). 1. United in rank. "Men who could keep rank” (1 Chr. xii. 3). 2. Earnest in prayer. "For they cried to God in the battle." 3. Thoroughly reliant upon God. "They put their trust in him." "They cried unto thee and were delivered; they trusted in thee and were not confounded." III. The success they achieved. Not only "helped" and "delivered," but enriched. 1. The booty enormous. "They took away their cattle," &c. (ver. 21). 2. The slain numerous. "There fell down many slain," &c. The Church united, courageous, and prayerful, ever victorious.

THE APOSTATE TRIBES.-Verses 23-26.

Special attention paid to this great sin of the tribes, this beginning of national evil and national suffering. I. Shameful apostasy. A full description in 2 Kings xvii. of idolatries, heathen and native. 1. Beginning in forgetfulness of God. "They transgressed against the God of their fathers" (ver. 25). One known to them as a nation, venerated by their fathers and worthy of their service. 2. Ending in forsaking God. "Went a whoring after the gods of the people." Forsaking their own God, they worshipped idols of the heathen. Man must have a god, will worship something, even if he adores himself. Whoring, a strong, emphatic word, indicative of special aggravation and intense jealousy. II. Merited judgment. We have a full and impressive vindication of divine procedure. Patience exhausted, and God, whom they had forsaken, permitted captivity to cure national evils. 1. Utter defeat. (a) First God stirred up Pul, King of Assyria (ver. 26). The first of northern sovereigns who invaded Palestine was bribed by silver to return (2 Kings xv. 16-20). Tribute was imposed, which caused prophetic protest, great dissatisfaction, and