20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed e to him but a few days because of his love for her. 21 Then Jacob said to Laban , "Give me my wife , for my time is completed , that I may go in to her." 22 Laban gathered all the men of the place and made a feast . 23 Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah , and brought her to him; and Jacob went in to her. 24 Laban also gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid . 25 So it came about in the morning that, behold , it was Leah ! And he said to Laban , " What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served with you? Why then have you deceived me?" 26 But Laban said , "It is not the practice e in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn . 27 "Complete the week of this one , and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years ." 28 Jacob did so and completed her week , and he gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife . 29 Laban also gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid . 30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also , and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah , and he served with Laban for another seven years .
31 Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved , and He opened her womb , but Rachel was barren . 32 Leah conceived and bore a son and named e him Reuben , for she said , "Because the Lord has seen my affliction ; surely now my husband will love me." 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son and said , " Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved , He has therefore given me this son also ." So she named e him Simeon . 34 She conceived again and bore a son and said , "Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons ." Therefore e he was named e Levi . 35 And she conceived again and bore a son and said , "This time I will praise the Lord ." Therefore e she named e him Judah . Then she stopped bearing .
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.