1 Chronicles 4:10
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.
The verse stands in the first division of Chronicles, in the genealogies tracing tribes and families back to Adam. Those genealogies supply what was left out of Samuel and Kings, taking knowledge of the earlier books for granted while giving new and important facts. These tables were made from real necessity after the exile, furnishing strict legal proof of hereditary descent needed to allot the land to its hereditary owners, to restore the temple service to those whose hereditary duty it was, to set officials in their proper places, and to pay tithes rightly. As part of this history rewritten from Adam to the restoration, the verse belongs to the line of Judah leading to the Messiah, showing God's care for His people and that divine favor depends on faithfulness of rulers and people to the covenant while punishment follows unfaithfulness, with scarcely anything said about the northern kingdom.
Jabez, though given a name tied to sorrow, was more honorable than his brothers, received many blessings from God and lived a bright, beneficial life that brought honor to his household. He called on the God of Israel asking for blessing, an enlarged coast or border, God's hand with him in presence and help, and to be kept from evil so that it would not grieve him or bring him sorrow. And God granted him what he requested.
The verse shows that people may desire and receive the Heavenly Father's blessing, while receiving it is connected with willingness to meet its conditions. Jabez's asking God for worldly prosperity, specifically for a blessing and an enlargement of his territory, is reasonable to bring to God in prayer.
The prayer teaches not to lose heart over present troubles or discouragements. Grief over sin and struggle with temptation can mark the beginning of a deep Christian life, and costly efforts involving anxiety, toil, and self-denial can enlarge one's influence and bring abundant results, which is how the request for enlarged borders applies to growing endeavors. It encourages persistent hope and prayer for a child or soul in trouble, since the one causing greatest concern may yet bring great joy.