14 Now at the time of the grain-cutting, Reuben saw some love-fruits in the field, and took them to his mother Leah. And Rachel said to her, Let me have some of your son's love-fruits. 15 But Leah said to her, Is it a small thing that you have taken my husband from me? and now would you take my son's love-fruits? Then Rachel said, You may have him tonight in exchange for your son's love-fruits. 16 In the evening, when Jacob came in from the field, Leah went out to him and said, Tonight you are to come to me, for I have given my son's love-fruits as a price for you. And he went in to her that night. 17 And God gave ear to her and she became with child, and gave Jacob a fifth son. 18 Then Leah said, God has made payment to me for giving my servant-girl to my husband: so she gave her son the name Issachar. 19 And again Leah became with child, and she gave Jacob a sixth son. 20 And she said, God has given me a good bride-price; now at last will I have my husband living with me, for I have given him six sons: and she gave him the name Zebulun. 21 After that she had a daughter, to whom she gave the name Dinah. 22 Then God gave thought to Rachel, and hearing her prayer he made her fertile. 23 And she was with child, and gave birth to a son: and she said, God has taken away my shame. 24 And she gave him the name Joseph, saying, May the Lord give me another son.
25 Now after the birth of Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, Let me go away to my place and my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have been your servant, and let me go: for you have knowledge of all the work I have done for you. 27 And Laban said, If you will let me say so, do not go away; for I have seen by the signs that the Lord has been good to me because of you. 28 Say then what your payment is to be and I will give it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 30:14-28
Commentary on Genesis 30:14-24
(Read Genesis 30:14-24)
The desire, good in itself, but often too great and irregular, of being the mother of the promised Seed, with the honour of having many children, and the reproach of being barren, were causes of this unbecoming contest between the sisters. The truth appears to be, that they were influenced by the promises of God to Abraham; whose posterity were promised the richest blessings, and from whom the Messiah was to descend.
Commentary on Genesis 30:25-43
(Read Genesis 30:25-43)
The fourteen years being gone, Jacob was willing to depart without any provision, except God's promise. But he had in many ways a just claim on Laban's substance, and it was the will of God that he should be provided for from it. He referred his cause to God, rather than agree for stated wages with Laban, whose selfishness was very great. And it would appear that he acted honestly, when none but those of the colours fixed upon should be found among his cattle. Laban selfishly thought that his cattle would produce few different in colour from their own. Jacob's course after this agreement has been considered an instance of his policy and management. But it was done by intimation from God, and as a token of his power. The Lord will one way or another plead the cause of the oppressed, and honour those who simply trust his providence. Neither could Laban complain of Jacob, for he had nothing more than was freely agreed that he should have; nor was he injured, but greatly benefitted by Jacob's services. May all our mercies be received with thanksgiving and prayer, that coming from his bounty, they may lead to his praise.