1. Kings of Judah (3:1-24)

King David descended from Judah. His son Solomon succeeded him as king. The nation split into two parts under his reign. There were 17 more kings up to the Babylonian exile (10-16).

2. The prayer of Jabez (4:1-43)

A woman had a painful childbirth, and named her son 'pain' (Jabez). Jabez cried out to God in prayer. His request was granted. Read it (10).

3. Will you trust God or be unfaithful? (5:1-26)

Military men who cried out to God rather than depending on their able bodies were victorious, because the battle was God’s (20-22). But brave, famous men who were unfaithful to God and prostituted themselves to idols were carried off into captivity by Assyria (24-26).


Application: Lord, may we not be fatalistic about our situation, nor trust in ourselves. We trust in you and cry out to you in our distress. Deliver us and bless us, and those for whom we pray, for Jesus’ sake.
One Word: Trust in God and cry out to him