20 So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel. But it only seemed like a few days, he loved her so much. 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife; I've completed what we agreed I'd do. I'm ready to consummate my marriage." 22 Laban invited everyone around and threw a big feast. 23 At evening, though, he got his daughter Leah and brought her to the marriage bed, and Jacob slept with her. 24 (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maid.) 25 Morning came: There was Leah in the marriage bed! Jacob confronted Laban, "What have you done to me? Didn't I work all this time for the hand of Rachel? Why did you cheat me?" 26 "We don't do it that way in our country," said Laban. "We don't marry off the younger daughter before the older. 27 Enjoy your week of honeymoon, and then we'll give you the other one also. But it will cost you another seven years of work." 28 Jacob agreed. When he'd completed the honeymoon week, Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 (Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid.) 30 Jacob then slept with her. And he loved Rachel more than Leah. He worked for Laban another seven years.
31 When God realized that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb. But Rachel was barren. 32 Leah became pregnant and had a son. She named him Reuben (Look-It's-a-Boy!). "This is a sign," she said, "that God has seen my misery; and a sign that now my husband will love me." 33 She became pregnant again and had another son. "God heard," she said, "that I was unloved and so he gave me this son also." She named this one Simeon (God-Heard). 34 She became pregnant yet again - another son. She said, "Now maybe my husband will connect with me - I've given him three sons!" That's why she named him Levi (Connect). 35 She became pregnant a final time and had a fourth son. She said, "This time I'll praise God." So she named him Judah (Praise-God). Then she stopped having children.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 29:20-35
Commentary on Genesis 29:15-30
(Read Genesis 29:15-30)
During the month that Jacob spent as a guest, he was not idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some useful business. Laban was desirous that Jacob should continue with him. Inferior relations must not be imposed upon; it is our duty to reward them. Jacob made known to Laban the affection he had for his daughter Rachel. And having no wordly goods with which to endow her, he promises seven years' service Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, 1 Corinthians 7:2.
Commentary on Genesis 29:31-35
(Read Genesis 29:31-35)
The names Leah gave her children, expressed her respect and regard, both to God and to her husband. Reuben, or See a son, with this thought, Now will my husband love me; Levi, or joined, expecting, Now will my husband be joined unto me. Mutual affection is both the duty and comfort of the married relation; and yoke-fellows should study to recommend themselves to each other, 1 Corinthians 7:33,34. She thankfully acknowledges the kind providence of God in hearing her. Whatever supports and comforts us under afflictions, or tends to our deliverance from them, God must be owned in it. Her fourth son she called Judah, or praise, saying, Now will I praise the Lord. This was he, of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Whatever is the matter of our rejoicing, ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving. Fresh favours should quicken us to praise God for former favours; Now will I praise the Lord more and better than I have done. All our praises must centre in Christ, both as the matter of them, and as the Mediator of them. He descended after the flesh from him whose name was "Praise," and He is our praise. Is Christ formed in my heart? Now will I praise the Lord.