1 Chronicles 4:40
There they found rich, good pasture, and the land was spacious, peaceful, and quiet; for some Hamites had lived there formerly.
There they found
This phrase indicates a discovery, a moment of divine providence where the people of God come upon something of great value. The Hebrew root for "found" is "מָצָא" (matsa), which often implies not just a physical discovery but a spiritual or providential finding. This suggests that God had prepared this place for them, aligning with the biblical theme of God providing for His people.

rich, good pasture
The description of the pasture as "rich" and "good" highlights the abundance and quality of the land. The Hebrew word for "rich" is "שָׁמֵן" (shamen), meaning fat or fertile, and "good" is "טוֹב" (tov), which conveys goodness, beauty, and prosperity. This reflects God's blessing and provision, reminiscent of the Promised Land described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8).

and the land was spacious
The term "spacious" comes from the Hebrew "רָחָב" (rachab), meaning broad or wide. This suggests freedom and opportunity, a place where the people could expand and thrive without constraint. It echoes the promise to Abraham about his descendants being numerous and possessing the land (Genesis 15:18).

peaceful, and quiet
These words, "peaceful" (שָׁלֵו, shalev) and "quiet" (שָׁקֵט, shaqet), indicate a state of rest and security. In a biblical context, peace (shalom) is not merely the absence of conflict but a state of wholeness and harmony with God. This tranquility is a gift from God, who is often described as the source of peace (Philippians 4:7).

for some Hamites had lived there formerly
The mention of the Hamites, descendants of Ham, one of Noah's sons, provides a historical context. The Hamites were known to have settled in various parts of the ancient Near East. Their former presence suggests a transition of the land from one group to another, often seen in the Bible as part of God's sovereign plan. This transfer of land can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promises to His people, demonstrating His control over history and His faithfulness to His covenant.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Simeonites
A tribe of Israel, descendants of Simeon, who were seeking new territory for their growing population.

2. Rich, Good Pasture
The land discovered by the Simeonites, described as fertile and abundant, suitable for their needs.

3. Spacious, Peaceful, and Quiet Land
The characteristics of the land that made it desirable for settlement.

4. Hamites
The previous inhabitants of the land, descendants of Ham, one of Noah's sons.

5. The Negev
The broader region where this land was located, known for its arid conditions, making the discovery of fertile land significant.
Teaching Points
God's Provision
Just as God provided the Simeonites with rich and good pasture, He provides for our needs today. Trust in His provision even when circumstances seem barren.

Seeking God's Guidance
The Simeonites' journey to find new land can remind us to seek God's guidance in our own life decisions. He knows where the "good pastures" are for us.

Peace and Contentment
The description of the land as peaceful and quiet encourages us to seek peace and contentment in our lives, trusting that God can lead us to places of rest.

Historical Context and Faith
Understanding the historical context of the Bible enriches our faith and helps us see God's hand throughout history, guiding His people.

Legacy and Heritage
The mention of the Hamites reminds us of the importance of understanding our spiritual heritage and the legacy we leave for future generations.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the discovery of "rich, good pasture" by the Simeonites teach us about God's provision in our lives?

2. How can we apply the Simeonites' search for new land to our own spiritual journey and decision-making processes?

3. In what ways can we seek peace and contentment in our current circumstances, as the Simeonites found in their new land?

4. How does understanding the historical context of the Hamites and the Negev region enhance our reading of this passage?

5. What lessons can we learn about legacy and heritage from the mention of the Hamites in this verse, and how can we apply these lessons to our own lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 10:6-20
Provides background on the descendants of Ham, offering context to the mention of Hamites in 1 Chronicles 4:40.

Joshua 19:1-9
Details the original allotment of land to the tribe of Simeon, showing their need to expand due to population growth.

Psalm 23:2
The imagery of "green pastures" connects to the idea of God providing abundantly for His people, as seen in the Simeonites' discovery.
Fat PastureJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 4:40
Survey of the GenealogyJames Wolfendale.1 Chronicles 4:1-43
General Truths from Genealogical TablesW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 4:11-43
The SimeonitesF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 4:31-43
Might and RightR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 4:39-41
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Adiel, Aharhel, Ahumai, Ahuzam, Allon, Amalek, Amalekites, Amaziah, Amnon, Anub, Asaiah, Asareel, Ashur, Asiel, Ben, Benaiah, Benhanan, Benzoheth, Bethrapha, Bethuel, Bilhah, Bithiah, Caleb, Carmi, Chelub, Coz, David, Elah, Elioenai, Epher, Ephratah, Ephrath, Er, Eshtemoa, Eshton, Ethnan, Ezer, Ezra, Garmite, Gedor, Haahashtari, Hakkoz, Ham, Hamites, Hamuel, Hanan, Harum, Hathath, Hazelelponi, Heber, Helah, Hepher, Hezekiah, Hezron, Hodiah, Hodijah, Hur, Idbash, Iru, Ishbah, Ishi, Ishma, Izhar, Jaakobah, Jabez, Jahath, Jalon, Jamin, Jamlech, Jarib, Jedaiah, Jehaleleel, Jehu, Jekuthiel, Jephunneh, Jered, Jeshohaiah, Jesimiel, Jether, Jezoar, Jezreel, Joab, Joash, Joel, Jokim, Joshah, Josibiah, Kenaz, Koz, Laadah, Lahad, Mehir, Meonothai, Mered, Meshobab, Meunim, Meunites, Mibsam, Miriam, Mishma, Naam, Naarah, Naham, Nahash, Neariah, Nemuel, Ophrah, Othniel, Paseah, Pelatiah, Penuel, Perez, Pharaoh, Pharez, Rapha, Reaiah, Rechah, Rephaiah, Rinnah, Saraph, Saul, Seir, Seraiah, Shallum, Shammai, Shaul, Shelah, Shemaiah, Shimei, Shimon, Shimri, Shiphi, Shobal, Shuah, Shual, Simeon, Simeonites, Tehinnah, Temeni, Tilon, Tiria, Uzziel, Zacchur, Zaccur, Zerah, Zereth, Ziphah, Ziza, Zobebah, Zohar, Zoheth, Zorathites, Zoreathites
Places
Ain, Ashan, Baal, Beersheba, Beth-biri, Beth-marcaboth, Bethuel, Bilhah, Cozeba, Etam, Ezem, Gederah, Gedor, Hazar-shual, Hazar-susim, Hormah, Jerusalem, Lehem, Moab, Moladah, Mount Seir, Netaim, Recah, Rimmon, Shaaraim, Tochen, Tolad, Ziklag
Topics
Aforetime, Belonged, Broad, Dwelling, Dwelt, Extended, Fat, Fertile, Former, Formerly, Grass-land, Ham, Hamites, Inhabitants, Offspring, Pasture, Peaceable, Peaceful, Peace-loving, Quiet, Rich, Safe, Sides, Spacious, Wide, Widely
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 4:40

     6703   peace, divine OT
     8328   quietness

1 Chronicles 4:24-43

     7266   tribes of Israel

1 Chronicles 4:39-40

     4290   valleys

Library
The Ark among the Flags
'And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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