1 Chronicles 4:40

“And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for they of Ham had dwelt there of old.”

Literary Context

The preceding line reads “And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.” The titled verse reads “And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for they of Ham had dwelt there of old.” The following line reads “And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks.” Together, these lines place 1 Chronicles 4:40 within its immediate canonical and literary sequence.

Close Reading

The verse reports an action, event, location, number, or result within the biblical narrative. Its contribution appears through the subject, action, and outcome stated in the sentence.

The verse first states “And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable;” It then adds “for they of Ham had dwelt there of old.” Both movements belong together.

Place in Scripture

Biblical narrative communicates through ordered events and consequences. Accuracy about each verse preserves that sequence and guards conclusions from being based on details the passage does not contain.

A Faithful Response

A faithful response distinguishes description from command and notices how the event fits the surrounding account. Reflection should follow the choices, consequences, and divine activity that the text itself makes visible.

Accordingly, the meaning of 1 Chronicles 4:40 should be drawn from the verse itself and the lines around it, keeping explanation and application faithful to the text.