(15) The sons of Caleb, son of Jephunneh.--Caleb son of Jephunneh is called the Kenizzite, Joshua 14:6-14. He obtained "a part among the children of Judah" (Joshua 15:13), "because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel" (Joshua 14:14). If Caleb the Kenizzite and his clan were received among the Hezronite houses of Judah, this new division of the Hezronites would henceforth be known as "the house of Caleb," 1Samuel 25:3; or simply "Caleb" (= Chelubai, the Calebite). (See Notes on 1Chronicles 2:42; 1Chronicles 2:49.)

Elah occurred 1Chronicles 1:52, as an Edomite princedom, like Kenaz in 1Chronicles 1:53.

Naam is perhaps Naamah, Joshua 15:41, a town in the Shephelah.

And the sons of Elah, even Kenaz.--The Heb. is, and the sons of Mah and Kenaz, that is, two clans of Calebites called Elah and Kenaz. Comp. 1Chronicles 4:13, and 1Chronicles 2:42, 1Ch_3:21. Some MSS., the LXX., Vulg., and Targum omit and before Kenaz. But the word Elah, with different points, might be read elleh, "these." It may be suggested, therefore, that we have in this last sentence the subscription to the list begun at 1Chronicles 4:13, '?lleh bne Qnaz, "these are the sons of Kenaz." Others suppose a name omitted, and render: "and the sons of Elah . . . and Kenaz." Jehaleleel may have dropped out after the like-sounding Elah.

4:1-43 Genealogies. - In this chapter we have a further account of Judah, the most numerous and most famous of all the tribes; also an account of Simeon. The most remarkable person in this chapter is Jabez. We are not told upon what account Jabez was more honourable than his brethren; but we find that he was a praying man. The way to be truly great, is to seek to do God's will, and to pray earnestly. Here is the prayer he made. Jabez prayed to the living and true God, who alone can hear and answer prayer; and, in prayer he regarded him as a God in covenant with his people. He does not express his promise, but leaves it to be understood; he was afraid to promise in his own strength, and resolved to devote himself entirely to God. Lord, if thou wilt bless me and keep me, do what thou wilt with me; I will be at thy command and disposal for ever. As the text reads it, this was the language of a most ardent and affectionate desire, Oh that thou wouldest bless me! Four things Jabez prayed for. 1. That God would bless him indeed. Spiritual blessings are the best blessings: God's blessings are real things, and produce real effects. 2. That He would enlarge his coast. That God would enlarge our hearts, and so enlarge our portion in himself, and in the heavenly Canaan, ought to be our desire and prayer. 3. That God's hand might be with him. God's hand with us, to lead us, protect us, strengthen us, and to work all our works in us and for us, is a hand all-sufficient for us. 4. That he would keep him from evil, the evil of sin, the evil of trouble, all the evil designs of his enemies, that they might not hurt, nor make him a Jabez indeed, a man of sorrow. God granted that which he requested. God is ever ready to hear prayer: his ear is not now heavy.And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh,.... Jephunneh is not the same with Hezron, as the Targum, but another son of Kenaz, hence called the Kenezite, Joshua 14:6 and brother of Othniel; and Caleb his son is the same that was sent one of the spies of the land of Canaan by Moses, see Numbers 13:6.

his sons were Iru, Elah, and Naam; of whom we nowhere else read:

and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz; another Kenaz, or rather it should be read Uknaz; so Jarchi and Kimchi.