And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
Ver. 2. And there were born unto him seven sons] This was a main part of his prosperity, to have such a numerous issue to build up his house and to heir his estate, though it proved to be luctuosa fecunditas, mournful fertility, as Jerome said Laeta's was, who lived to see her children buried before her. Job's children are spoken of before his wealth, because better valued; and yet after this fearing God and eschewing evil, to show (saith Fetus) that he was not like the men of these times, who, if they have many children, will take any evil course to get something for them, and think it a sufficient plea against works of piety or charity that they have many children to provide for. But such should know that not getting, but giving, is the way to thrive; neither can men better lay up for their children than by laying it out upon the backs and bellies of God's poor, to whom he that giveth shall not lack, Proverbs 28:27, that is a bargain of God's own making; this the righteous knowing, "is merciful, and lendeth, and his seed is blessed," Psalms 37:26, when the wicked wretch's riches "perish by evil travail, and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand," Ecclesiastes 5:14. I read of a graceless son who, after his father's death, finding his hoard of money and evil gotten wealth, cried out, O faithful drudge! and he soon made a hand of it.
And three daughters] Hopeful and towardly; not like those of Augustus Caesar, whom, for the evil courses they took, he was wont to term them three pussful abscesses and ulcerous sores, wishing that either he had lived a bachelor or died childless, Tres vomicas trio carcinomata (Sueton.); but rather like those of Charles the Great, who so pleased him, that he could not at any time be well without their company, nor find in his heart to part with them, though it were to be well married.