Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
Verse 8. Abimelech rose early, c.] God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and we find as the day broke he arose, assembled his servants, (what we would call his courtiers,) and communicated to them what he had received from God. They were all struck with astonishment, and discerned the hand of God in this business. Abraham is then called, and in a most respectful and pious manner the king expostulates with him for bringing him and his people under the Divine displeasure, by withholding from him the information that Sarah was his wife when, by taking her, he sought only an honourable alliance with his family.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
His servants; his counsellors and principal officers, as that word is used, 1Ki 1:2; 10:13.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning,…. Awaking upon the dream, could sleep no more, his thoughts running upon what had been said to him by the Lord in it: wherefore as soon as it was light he rose from his bed,
and called all his servants; his household servants, and particularly his courtiers and counsellors, who had advised him to take Sarah for his wife, and had been assisting in it:
and told all those things in their ears: how that God appeared to him in a dream, and told him that Sarah, whom he had taken into his house, was another man’s wife, and that if he did not immediately return her to her husband, he would die, and all that belonged to him:
and the men were sore afraid; lest they should be struck with death; and perhaps they might call to mind the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah for their sins, they had lately heard of, and might fear that some such calamity would befall them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Abimelech carried out the divine instructions. The next morning he collected his servants together and related what had occurred, at which the men were greatly alarmed. He then sent for Abraham, and complained most bitterly of his conduct, by which he had brought a great sin upon him and his kingdom.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Abimelech’s Conduct Towards Abraham. | B. C. 1898. |
8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. 10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? 11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake. 12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt show unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
Abimelech, being thus warned of God in a dream, takes the warning, and, as one truly afraid of sin and its consequences, he rises early to obey the directions given him.
I. He has a caution for his servants, v. 8. Abraham himself could not be more careful than he was to command his household in this matter. Note, Those whom God has convinced of sin and danger ought to tell others what God has done for their souls, that they also may be awakened and brought to a like holy fear.
II. He has a chiding for Abraham. Observe,
1. The serious reproof which Abimelech gave to Abraham, Gen 20:9; Gen 20:10. His reasoning with Abraham upon this occasion was very strong, and yet very mild. Nothing could be said better; he does not reproach him, nor insult over him, does not say, “Is this your profession? I see, though you will not swear, you will lie. If these be prophets, I will beg to be freed from the sight of them:” but he fairly represents the injury Abraham had done him, and calmly signifies his resentment of it. (1.) He calls that sin which he now found he had been in danger of a great sin. Note, Even the light of nature teaches men that the sin of adultery is a very great sin: be it observed, to the shame of many who call themselves Christians, and yet make a light matter of it. (2.) He looks upon it that both himself and his kingdom would have been exposed to the wrath of God if he had been guilty of this sin, though ignorantly. Note, The sins of kings often prove the plagues of kingdoms; rulers should therefore, for their people’s sake, dread sin. (3.) He charges Abraham with doing that which was not justifiable, in disowning his marriage. This he speaks of justly, and yet tenderly; he does not call him a liar and cheat, but tells him he had done deeds that ought not to be done. Note, Equivocation and dissimulation, however they may be palliated, are very bad things, and by no means to be admitted in any case. (4.) He takes it as a very great injury to himself and his family that Abraham had thus exposed them to sin: “What have I offended thee? If I had been thy worst enemy, thou couldst not have done me a worse turn, nor taken a more effectual course to be revenged on me.” Note, We ought to reckon that those do us the greatest unkindness in the world that any way tempt us or expose us to sin, though they may pretend friendship, and offer that which is grateful enough to corrupt nature. (5.) He challenges him to assign a cause for his suspecting them as a dangerous people for an honest man to live among: “What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? v. 10. What reason hadst thou to think that if we had known her to be thy wife thou wouldst have been exposed to any danger by it?” Note, A suspicion of our goodness is justly reckoned a greater affront than a slight upon our greatness.
2. The poor excuse that Abraham made for himself.
(1.) He pleaded the bad opinion he had of the place, v. 11. He thought within himself (though he could not give any good reason for his thinking so), “Surely the fear of God is not in this place, and then they will slay me.” [1.] Little good is to be expected where no fear of God is. See Ps. xxxvi. 1. [2.] There are many places and persons that have more of the fear of God in them than we think they have: perhaps they are not called by our dividing name, they do not wear our badges, they do not tie themselves to that which we have an opinion of; and therefore we conclude they have not the fear of God in their hearts, which is very injurious both of Christ and Christians, and makes us obnoxious to God’s judgment, Matt. vii. 1. [3.] Uncharitableness and censoriousness are sins that are the cause of many other sins. When men have once persuaded themselves concerning such and such that they have not the fear of God, they think this will justify them in the most unjust and unchristian practices towards them. Men would not do ill if they did not first think ill.
(2.) He excused it from the guilt of a downright lie by making it out that, in a sense, she was his sister, v. 12. Some think she was own sister to Lot, who is called his brother Lot (ch. xiv. 16), though he was his nephew; so Sarah is called his sister. But those to whom he said, She is my sister, understood that she was so his sister as not to be capable of being his wife; so that it was an equivocation, with an intent to deceive.
(3.) He clears himself from the imputation of an affront designed to Abimelech in it by alleging that it had been his practice before, according to an agreement between him and his wife, when they first became sojourners (v. 13): “When God caused me to wander from my father’s house, then we settled this matter.” Note, [1.] God is to be acknowledged in all our wanderings. [2.] Those that travel abroad, and converse much with strangers, as they have need of the wisdom of the serpent, so it is requisite that that wisdom be ever tempered with the innocence of the dove. It may, for aught I know, be suggested that God denied to Abraham and Sarah the blessing of children so long to punish them for this sinful compact if they will not own their marriage, why should God own it? But we may suppose that, after this reproof which Abimelech gave them, they agreed never to do so again, and then presently we read (Gen 21:1; Gen 21:2) that Sarah conceived.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 8-16:
When Abimelech awoke from sleep, he quickly summoned his servants and told them what God had said. He confessed his own fault, and determined to correct his error. He explained the danger to his servants. They too were afraid. The circumstances show that Abimelech was a godly, humble man; also his servants shared his faith and humility.
Abimelech summoned Abraham, and demanded an explanation.
He implied that Abraham’s deceit had placed him and his kingdom in grave danger, and had led him to the brink of committing a grave sin. It is ironic that such true accusation against the “Father of the Faithful” would come from one who had no share in the Divine Covenant.
Abraham lamely sought to excuse his deceit by attributing it to fear for his safety. It was not uncommon for one chieftain or king to assassinate another, in order to take his harem for his own. This is what Abraham feared. It was a mark of unbelief, for God had unconditionally promised that He would be with him, to lead and protect him in all his journeys.
Sarah was in one sense Abraham’s sister: they both had the same father but not the same mother. But in the manner in which Abraham presented Sarah, he was guilty of lying. A half-truth is a whole lie! The facts were accurate – up to a point,” but they were calculated to deceive and this was a sin. Sarah was evidently a willing accomplice to this deception.
Abimelech recognized Abraham as a prophet of the God he himself worshipped. He presented rich gifts to Abraham, and restored Sarah to him. The alliance he sought by marriage was now consummated by other means. And it was confirmed by the gifts Abimelech offered. The king gave Abraham to dwell in his land in peace and safety.
Abimelech did not let Sarah go without offering her a reprimand. He gave to Abraham a generous gift of silver, in addition to the slaves and livestock. The silver was specifically on account of Sarah. The expression “he is to thee a covering of the eyes,” appears to indicate that Abraham, not Abimelech, would be her husband and her authority and protector.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
8. Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning. Moses teaches how efficacious the oracle had been. For Abimelech, alarmed at the voice of God, arose in the morning, not only that he himself might quickly obey the command enjoined upon him but that he might also exhort his own people to do the same. An example of such ready obedience is shown us in a heathen king, that we may no more make excuses for our torpor, when we are so little profited by the Divine remonstrances. God appeared to him in a dream; but since he daily cries aloud in our ears, by Moses, by the prophets and by the apostles, and finally, by his only-begotten Son, it were absurd to suppose that so many testimonies should avail less than the vision of a single dream.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
CRITICAL NOTES.
Gen. 20:8. Servants.] Court officershis counsellors. (1Ki. 1:2; 1Ki. 10:5; 2Ki. 6:8.)
Gen. 20:10. What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?] What purpose hadst thou in viewwhat could have been thy motive?
Gen. 20:13. God caused me to wander.] One of the rare instances in which the plural verb is used with the name God, itself in the plural form. If the verb be plural, it is only an instance of the literal meaning of Elohim, the Eternal Supernatural Powers, coming into view. (Murphy.)
Gen. 20:16. Behold he is unto thee for a covering of the eyes.] Heb. Lo, it is to thee as a covering of the eyes. Not, as some imagine, a veil, understanding the present as money to buy one; but it is rather a peace-offering in consideration of the damage done to them. To cover ones face is the Heb. idiom for causing one to forget a wrong done. (Ch. Gen. 32:20-21.) I will cover his face, i.e., I will appease him with a present. (Job. 9:24.) So, also, to cover sin is to pardonto see it no more. (Jacobus.) Thus she was reproved. Heb. So thou art judged, i.e., justice has been done to thee. The original of this is most naturally taken as a part of Abimelechs speech, and then it is to be translated, And all this that thou mayest be righted. All this had been done or given, that the injury to Sarah may be redressed. (Murphy.) He had now made amends for all that had happened.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.Gen. 20:8-16
MORALITY OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH
The Divine call of Abraham was the first step towards the formation of the visible Church, and the interests of that Church centre in his life. He was the home of Revelation, the expositor of the known will of God. To Abimelech no Divine communication had been made. He, therefore, represents those who are outside the Church. All that was good in him was the product of what is called Natural Religion. This history shows what fair and noble things of life and conduct may grow from such a soil.
I. Morality outside the Church may attain to great excellence. The conduct of Abimelech shows that men may attain to principles of virtue and righteous living who are yet beyond the pale of revelation. He represents heathen morality at its best. There is much to admire both in his thought and feeling concerning human conduct.
1. Belief in a moral standard of right and wrong. He did not regard human actions as indifferent, or to be determined by the mere will and caprice of the individual without any reference to their moral qualities and issues. They are to be referred to a standard, whose witness and counterpart is the law written in the heart. In his view there were deeds that ought not to be done (Gen. 20:9). Moral obligation is herein implied. This ought and ought not is the imperative of conscience. The action of conscience implies that there is a law existing somewhere. Though the man may be greatly ignorant, yet that faculty when awakened obeys the impulse from an unseen source.
2. Belief in the moral relations of human society. He knows that the welfare of nations depends upon their righteousness (Gen. 20:4). He censures the conduct of Abraham, which had nearly involved both himself and his nation in a great sin (Gen. 20:9). The members of human society are so connected together by the principle of mutual dependence, and the ties of a common interest, that the great sins of the few must affect the many. A nation cannot maintain existence without some moral bonds.
3. A sense of injured moral feeling in the presence of wrong. He not only recognised the moral character of actions, and held human responsibility as a doctrine, but also as a principle of heart and life. He felt strongly upon the subject. His moral sensibilities were wounded and outraged at the very thought of the sin which he was so near committing.
4. A readiness to make restitution for faults committed against others (Gen. 20:14-15). Abimelech not only restores Abraham his wife, but gives him presents by way of atonement for any wrong he may unwittingly have done him. His high sense of justice is not content with sentiment and abstractions, but contemplates practical duty.
II. Morality outside the Church may have lessons of reproof for those who are within it. Sarah stood reproved (Gen. 20:16), and so did Abraham; for they had agreed together to act this part. They held to a statement which, though not altogether false, was a moral untrutha deceit and a culpable concealment. The manly and open conduct of the heathen king reproved them.
1. For their mean subterfuges. This conduct was unworthy of them as persons of wealth and position, and whose previous history entitled them to respect and honour from the surrounding people. To take the lowest ground, it lacked open sincerity and manly courage. It was a mean subterfuge unworthy of noble souls. The cunning and dissembling in their conduct towards others, too often practised by professing Christians, is reproved by the more open and manly dealing of many who have enjoyed no religious advantages.
2. Their distrust of Providence. Surely the patriarch and his wife had sufficient proof already of the power and willingness of God to protect them, and bring them out of every danger. They imperiled the truth to prevent (as they considered) worse consequences; and thus they took refuge in a human expedient instead of trusting in God. Surely the heathen have reason to reprove us when we cannot trust our God, in whom we profess to believe, in the time of peril. In so far as we act as if we had no Divine director, we belie our profession of religion. There are actions in the life of many, who are yet true members of the Church, which really show a practical disbelief in the help and guidance of Providence.
3. Their religious prejudices. Abraham excuses his conduct by saying, Because I thought; surely, the fear of God is not in this place. (Gen. 20:11.) He considered, that those not so favoured of God as himself were without any just ideas of duty and of the purpose of life. He took it for granted that men who had no special revelation must, of necessity, be without moral principle, and not to be trusted. How incorrectly do the best of men often judge of those who are outside their own pale! Men find it hard to believe in the goodness of those whose views on the subject of religion are essentially different from their own. Some narrow-minded Christians selfishly rest in the thought that they are the special favourites of God, and form harsh and uncharitable judgments of all the rest of mankind. We have no right to limit the grace of God by confiding its operation to the Church only. The revelation of Christianity may be the privilege of the few, but the dispensation of it is intended for the benefit of all. The hindrances to the universal sway of Gods truth and righteousness arise from man. His infinite goodness would bless all. His grace can raise the fruits of righteousness even where there is no open vision, and where religious minds think His fear does not exist. We are not to despise human goodness because it has not been nourished in the Church.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Gen. 20:8. It is wise to act promptly upon Divine warnings.
1. As they concern ourselves. Abimelech had taken a wrong step, but by the grace of God was prevented from rushing into greater evil. His was the fault, and the matter concerned himself first of all.
2. As they concern others. The king announced the fact to his household, for he could not transgress the moral law without bringing upon them also the effects of his great sin. Human interests are so related that the results of a mans sin must spread far beyond himself.
There is hope for men who are afraid of the judgments of God. It shows their minds are fully alive to their real situation. There is a courage of open defiance which only comes of ignorance. When men begin to fear they are ready to listen to the voice of wisdom.
Nature taught infidels to take care of their own families. Socrates is said to have called philosophy down from heaven to earth; that is, to have directed men to be good at home. The malicious Pharisees could object it to our SaviourThy disciples wash not, Thy disciples fast not, etc.; as if He were much to blame for suffering such things. And surely, he is not a complete Christian, walks not in a perfect way, that is not good at home (Psa. 101:2.) The fifth commandment is called by Philo a mixed commandment, and made a part of the first table. It is therefore set betwixt both tables of the law, saith another, because all we get from God or men we bring it home to our housesas Abimelech here relates his divine dream to his servantsthe place of well employing it.(Trapp.)
The prompt obedience of this heathen king reproves us who have greater privileges. God appeared to him only in a dream, but us He calls daily by Moses, by the prophets, by apostles, and by His only-begotten Son. Should all this convergence of testimony and spiritual force have less effect upon us than a single vision had upon this man?
Gen. 20:9. A heathen king reproving the Father of the Faithful! The better the man who is subjected to such reproach, the more shameful the position.
The dangers of lifes pilgrimage are so great that believers are tempted to adopt worldly policy and scheming for their own safety, but when such devices are discovered they bring shame and contempt.
Were we to judge simply from this portion of the sacred narrative we should be ready to think that Abraham had been the heathen and Abimelech the prophet of the Lord. In this offended kings reproof we see much to admire and to commend. Considering the injury he had sustained, and the danger to which he had been exposed, it is truly wonderful that he should express himself with such mildness and moderation. The occasion would almost have justified the bitterest reproaches; and it might well have been expected that Abimelech would cast reflections upon the partriarchs religion, condemning that as worthless or him as hypocritical. He never once complained of the punishment which he and his family had suffered, nor of the danger to which they had been exposed, but only of their seduction into sin. He considered this as the greatest injury that could have been done to him, and inquires with artless but earnest anxiety what he had done to provoke Abraham to the commission of it.(Bush.)
There are moral properties belonging to human actions by which they are referred to an eternal law of right and wrong. The heathen have a conscience which pronounces upon the character of their actions.
The sense of moral obligation makes religion possible to man.
Gen. 20:10-11. Under the influence of fear Abraham could not see his own conduct in the right light. Abimelech now bids him consider it with the coolness and severity of reason.
Prejudice.
1. It is often strong in those who enjoy high religious privileges. Abraham thought himself so highly favoured of God that he was unwilling to admit that any goodness could be found among those who were less favoured. The pride of our superior position renders us indisposed to believe in the virtues of those who by their providential position are ignorant of the written Word.
2. The evils of it are great.
(1) It limits the power of the grace of God. He can fulfil Himself in many ways and work by many methods. He is not confined to one mode of making Himself known.
(2) It is a sin against charity. Charity inclines to hope for the best, and is most at home with large views.
(3) It issues in committing wrong against others. Abraham greatly wronged this man. Those hasty judgments of mankind, which have their root in our own pride and self-importance, cause us to sin against others.
Could not that God who had brought him out from an idolatrous country, and preserved Lot and Melchizedek in the midst of the most abandoned people, have some hidden ones in Gerar also? Or, supposing that there were none who had truly feared God, must they therefore be so impious as to murder him in order to possess his wife? There can be no doubt that many who are not truly religious have well-nigh as high a sense of honour and as great an abhorrence of atrocious crimes as any converted man can feel; and therefore the reproach which he so unjustifiably cast on them returned deservedly on his own head.(Bush.)
The doctrine of human depravity does not oblige us to believe that all men are vicious.
The fear of God may exist among those who have had no special revelation of His will.
The history of the first formation of the Church does not shut out hope of the salvability of the heathen.
The fear of God is the best foundation for the stability and the prosperity of nations.
The fear of God is the best curb to restrain from evil, and spur to incite to good. All honesty flows from this holy fear. It is a problem in Aristotle, why men are trusted in more than other creatures? The answer is, Man only reverenceth God; therefore you may trust in him, therefore you may commit yourself to him. He that truly feareth God is like unto Cato, of whom it is said, He never did well that he might appear to do so, but because he could do no otherwise. You need not fear me, said Joseph to his brethren, for I fear God, and so dare do you no hurt. Ought ye not to have feared God? said Nehemiah to those usurious Jews (Neh. 5:9).(Trapp.)
They will slay me. The tendency of selfishness is to lead men to lean upon their own wisdom and to distrust God. The thought of our own safety may so absorb us, that we become unmindful of what is due to Gods honour.
Gen. 20:12. The slight semblance of truth by which the falsehood was upheld only testified that it was known to be a falsehood in the conscience.(Alford.)
The root of bitterness, in this melancholy instance, was an evil heart of unbelief. The element of unbelief enters into all sinsand into none more than into this sin of concealment or disguise. To dissemble before men is to distrust God. Had Abraham been exercising his faith in God, as simply and as implicitly, in reference to the providence which watched over him, as in reference to the righteousness which justified him, he would not have thought of resorting to any carnal or crooked policy. The particular measure of precaution which he did adopt might seem the most prudent and the best, as well for his partner as for himself. If he was to do anything for himself in this matter, perhaps nothing else could be suggested than what he actually did. But the evil was that he did anything; that he did not leave the entire management of the affair to God; that he did not resolve to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.(Candlish.)
Abraham failed where many believers are so likely to fail.
1. Not in wrong views of their covenant relations with God. In this Abraham was correct to the revealed will of the Almighty. He had not fallen into any doctrinal error. So believers may commit serious faults while they still hold the great verities of religion.
2. Not in wrong views of the requirements of the godly life. Abraham, all the time, well knew what was required of him in the service of his God. He would have shrunk from any act of open disobedience. But,
3. Believers often fail where Abraham failed, in the practical application of principles to the duties and difficulties of common life. We may be right in our views of doctrine and duty, and yet make serious mistakes in applying them to special cases arising from the complications of human affairs.
The immense power of evil which is in the world is a strong temptation to the people of God, by leading them to resort to worldly devices in order to meet that evil.
Scripture history shows that many of the saints of God failed exactly in those graces for which they were chiefly distinguished. Thus Moses, the meekest man, spake unadvisedly with his lips. Elijah the brave showed himself a coward and was ready to give up his work in despair. Abraham was renowned for his faith. At the call of God, he went forth not knowing whither he went. When God promised him a son, against hope he believed in hope. When afterwards he offered up that son, he accounted that God was able to raise him from the dead. He lived by faith, ordering all his public and private affairs by the thought that he was immediately under the eye of God. Yet in that which was the strength of his spiritual character, he failed.
Gen. 20:13. He was sent forth to go he knew not whither, and in allusion to this he is said to have wandered. But what is wandering to us, when led by Divine guidance, is a definite course of journeying to the omniscient eye that watches over and orders our steps. The fact which Abraham here mentions of an early precautionary arrangement between him and Sarah, would go far to set him right in Abimelechs esteem, as it would prove that he did not resort to the expedient because he thought worse of him and his people than of the other nations among whom he expected to sojourn. Neither the king nor people of Gerar were at all in his view when he proposed to adopt the artifice in question.(Bush.)
That which may seem to be kindness, in its effects upon others, may be done at the expense of our Godward duties.
Here is a man who lives a life of faith, and in all sincerity intends it, yet employs a carnal device, which is inconsistent with the idea of such a life. What contradictions there are, even in the best of saints!
Human prudence may be disloyalty to God.
Gen. 20:14. Abimelech bestows his royal bounty, the prophet gives his prayers. Each makes such restitution as he can for his fault.
Abraham by his conduct had exposed another man to the danger of a great sinhe had made a fatal impression and exercised an evil influence. Opportunities were lost, and mischief done, as it seemed, beyond all repair. But prayer sets all right.
In restoring Sarah to her husband, Abimelech obeyed the command of God. (Gen. 20:7.)
To make restitution is one of the conditions by which we obtain the gifts which come by prayer.
Gen. 20:15. Acts of kindness towards those whom we have justly reproved show that we love them still.
Pharaoh complimented Abraham out of his land (ch. Gen. 12:20); Abimelech gives him leave to dwell where he pleases. The one was moved only by fear, the other had comfort with his fear. Abimelech felt that the presence of this good man in his land would be a blessing to him.
We should set a value on the prayers of others which have brought a blessing to us, and strive to retain the benefit of them.
Gen. 20:16. Gentle reproofs wound not when accompanied by deeds of kindness.
Abimelechs high sense of justice:
1. In making atonement for the wrong he had doneunwittingly, indeed, on his part, but still a wrong in its effect upon others. This large gift was for a covering of the eyes, i.e., for a peace-offering to cover up the offence.
2. In vindicating Sarahs character. Unto all that are with thee, and with all other. All her family would be interested in this act of justice towards her good name.
To render justice to others was a good preparation for enjoying the full benefits of the prophets prayers and intercessions.
Abimelech is afterwards greatly blessed for his kindness to Abraham. He had, indeed, received a prophet and had a prophets reward. (Ch. Gen. 21:22-34.)
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
8. Rose early The visions of the night had made a profound impression, stirring the depths of his soul, and he hastened with the dawn to inquire into the matter . Compare Dan 6:19.
Called all his servants His courtiers and counsellors.
Told all these things This procedure is another evidence of the integrity and uprightness of this king. He has nothing to conceal, though much to excite and trouble him.
The men were sore afraid Their king had also become a prophet, and revealed to them the word of God, and the revelation filled them with deepest reverence and awe.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears. And they were deeply afraid.’
That Abimelech is deeply moved by his dream comes out in his reaction. He immediately speaks to his advisers. And they too are afraid, for the intervention of the supernatural in quite this way was contrary to the tenor of their lives. Especially when they learn that they are dealing with an acknowledged ‘prophet’.
Gen 20:9-10
‘Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And in what way have I sinned against you that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin. You have done things to me that ought not to be done.” And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see that you have done this thing?”
Abimelech’s fear stands out clearly. He feels that this great prophet is finding occasion against them. ‘What have you done to us? — What did you see?’ In his conscience stricken state, moved by his unearthly dream, he believes that this has all happened because of some prior plan and he wants to find out what failure in them has brought it about – ‘in what way have I sinned against you?’ This is beyond just an angry man wanting to know why someone has lied to him. He is deeply concerned, almost terrified.
Gen 20:11-13
‘And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place and they will kill me for the sake of my wife. And moreover she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father but not the daughter of my mother. And she became my wife. And so it was that when God caused me to wander from my father’s house I said to her, ‘This is the kindness that you will show me. At every place where we shall come say of me – he is my brother”.’
Abraham is slightly nonplussed, but he seeks to explain the situation. He had thought there was no fear of God here, but as events have proved he was totally wrong, and he has the grace to admit it. The fact was that because his wife was so appealing to men he had used a smoke screen in order to protect himself.
This verse explains a permanent plan not a one off situation. Wherever he went he had said that Sarah was his sister. It had only failed once and that because he had been dealing with an unusual country in Egypt. Now, of course it had brought trouble on him again. The narrative seems to suggest that he was at the least unwise.
Abimelech is totally relieved to find that there is no supernatural plot against him and immediately agrees to enter into a covenant with Abraham and his family tribe. He is still shaken and will do anything to appease this prophet of God. (He is more terrified of the prophet than of the soldier). So God uses this failure of Abraham’s to ensure his future well being.
Gen 20:14-16
‘And Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and menservants and womenservants and gave them to Abraham, and he restored to him Sarah his wife. And Abimelech said, “Look, the land is in front of you, dwell wherever it pleases you.” And to Sarah he said, “See I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver, behold it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you and before all men you are righted”.’
There are three factors here. The two prices to be paid to remedy the sin that has been committed, and the promise of permanent land for them to dwell in. The first is dealt with by the gift to Abraham as the offended party of cattle and slaves, the second by a gift on behalf of Sarah to ‘her brother’ of a thousand silver pieces. This gift is seen as evidence before men that Sarah is blameless and still pure. Had she been soiled she would not have had this value. It was an ancient custom that the acceptance of a gift demonstrated the vindication of the giver.
The third aspect is the guarantee of land to Abraham and his family tribe, together with their herds and flocks, wherever they choose (on free land, of course). They are welcomed and guaranteed that they will not be driven away.
We note the inclusion of the fact that Abraham is Sarah’s brother. This may be because the compensation has to be given to a close blood relative. But the stated acceptance of the fact may also have been considered necessary in order to stress to all who read the covenant that Abraham’s integrity has been accepted by the king. That Abimelech was ‘innocent’ has also previously been made clear. So both parties are vindicated. This is a necessary part of the covenant.
Gen 20:17
‘And Abraham prayed to God and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maidservants, and they bore children.’
Abraham now fulfils his part of the covenant. He uses his powers as a prophet to remove the ‘curse’ that is on Abimelech’s house. But nothing has been said in the narrative about this situation. This indicates the authenticity of the account. A later writer would have introduced this earlier, but in a covenant between two parties such matters must be handled delicately. To have mentioned this in the main body may have been seen as a slur on the king. But it has to be mentioned here, very delicately, because it is part of the covenant.
Gen 20:18
‘For Yahweh had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.’
The final explanation, put much more bluntly, is given in the name of Yahweh. This may well be an added explanatory comment and not part of the original covenant document. The latter, being between Abraham and an outsider had to speak of ‘God’ so as to suit both parties, but the comment makes clear that this God is Yahweh. It may have been added on in Abraham’s copy of the covenant, but more likely it is added by the person who brought this covenant and the following one together.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Abimelech Reproves Abraham
v. 8. Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears; and the men were sore afraid. v. 9. Then Abimelech called Abraham and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? And what have I offended thee that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? Thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. v. 10. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou that thou hast done this thing? v. 11. And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.
v. 12. And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
v. 13. And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt show unto me: at every place whither we shall come say of me, He is my brother.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Gen 20:8. Abimelech rose early, &c. There is a strong appearance of piety in this conduct of Abimelech; who, as well as his servants, that is, his council and the people of his court, seems to have had a due reverence for the Almighty, and a becoming fear for his awful admonitions. He expostulates seriously with Abraham, as a man who dreaded to commit sin, and incur the Divine displeasure: what have I done, that, Gen 20:9 thou hast brought on me, and on my kingdom, a great sin? i.e.. that thou wouldst have involved me and my kingdom in the enormous guilt of adultery: a crime so universally allowed abominable, that the very involuntary act, without the criminal intention, was thought enough to bring calamity and ruin on a whole kingdom. Perhaps also they might call to mind the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah, which they had lately heard of, and might fear that some such calamity might befal them.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
This was the case. See Gen 11:29
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 20:8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
Ver. 8. Therefore Abimelech rose early, &c. ] He “made haste, and delayed not to keep God’s commandments”. Psa 119:60 This is a check to our dulness, whom so many exhortations and menaces of God’s mouth move not to amend. Some are semper victuri , as Seneca saith. They defer so long till the drawbridge be taken up, till the gale of grace be blown over, till the bridegroom goes by, and so are shut out with the foolish virgins, for their lingering and futuring. Nolite vero tempus in nugis terere, vel Cras, ut ille, Seria, reiectis in hilari compotatione, literis indiciis hodie morituri, protelare . At the next puff of breath thou mayest blow away thy life; or, by not discerning thy time, thou mayest lose thy soul, as Saul did his kingdom. Opportunities are headlong. a
And called all his servants.
“ Aedibus in propriis quae pravae aut recta gerantur. ”
Cato said that he could pardon all men’s faults, save only the faults of his own family. And Augustus, when he went about to restrain garish attire, and looseness of life in others, was jeered and upbraided at Rome with the excesses and enormities of his own household. He had three untoward children whom he was wont to term tres vomicas, tria carcinomata so many mattery impostumes, ulcerous sores. His wife Livia was thought to be too familiar with her friend and physician, Eudemus; Pliny calls him her paramour. Tacitus saith, he was specie artis, frequens secretis . All this might be without his fault, but not without his reproach. c The malicious Pharisees could object it to our Saviour – “thy disciples wash not,” “thy disciples fast not,” &c.; as if he were much to blame for suffering such things. And surely, he is not a complete Christian, walks not “in a perfect way,” that is not good “at home,” Psa 101:2 that is, not relatively good. The fifth commandment is called by Philo, , a mixed commandment , and made a part of the first table. It is therefore set between both tables of the law, saith another, because all we get from God or men we bring it home to our houses – as Abimelech here relates his divine dream to his servants – the place of well employing it.
And the men were sore afraid.
a , vox erat Archiae illius Thebanorum praefecti
b Wolfius in Tiliani tab. Philosoph.
c O , – Dio in Vita. – Sueton. in Aug., cap. 65.
d Bradford Of Repent.
e R. Grosthead.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gen 20:8-18
8So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly frightened. 9Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” 10And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?” 11Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. 12Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife; 13and it came about, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, ‘This is the kindness which you will show to me: everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”‘” 14Abimelech then took sheep and oxen and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored his wife Sarah to him. 15Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; settle wherever you please.” 16To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; behold, it is your vindication before all who are with you, and before all men you are cleared.” 17Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children. 18For the LORD had closed fast all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
Gen 20:8 “arose early in the morning” This is a Hebrew idiom of the urgency and immediacy (cf. Gen 21:14; Gen 22:3) of responding to God’s expressed will.
“and the men were greatly frightened” Not only is the faith of Abimelech seen in Gen 20:4-6, but the faith of his entire family is expressed in this verse. It makes Abraham’s statement in Gen 20:11 a ironical.
Gen 20:9-10 Through a series of three questions Abimelech really shows the inappropriate activity of Abraham, as Pharaoh had done earlier in chapter 12.
Gen 20:10 “encountered” Some see this as a prophetic vision, but most scholars take this to mean “What have you encountered in the past that has caused you to act this way?”
Gen 20:11-12 Abraham gives three explanations about why he acted as he had. All three of them seem rather inappropriate. The fear or death is also recorded in Gen 12:12 and with Isaac in Gen 26:7.
Gen 20:13 “when God caused me to wander” In English it almost seems that he is implying that it is God’s fault that he acted this way. It reminds us of how Adam blamed God (cf. Gen 3:12). However, it is uncertain if we can understand this in this way. What is certain is that the name Elohim, which is used here, is followed by the PLURAL VERB (BDB 1073, KB 1766, Hiphil PERFECT PLURAL), which is highly unusual when referring to the monotheistic Israelite Deity, (see Special Topic: Monotheism ). Some say that he is getting down on the polytheistic level of Abimelech (S. R. Driver). However, Abimelech seems to be knowledgeable of the one true God also. The rabbis say this PLURAL, though rare, is not uncommon when referring to God (cf Gen 1:26; Gen 11:7; Gen 35:7; 2Sa 7:23). The Church often interprets these OT PLURALS as an incipient form of the doctrine of the Trinity.
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY
“this is the kindness which you will show me: everywhere we go” This seems to show that Abraham and Sarah had made an agreement about this brother and sister ruse from the time that they left Ur of the Chaldeans.
Gen 20:14 This exactly repeats what Pharaoh did for Abraham in Gen 12:16.
It is these doublets that have caused modern western scholars to question a single author for the Pentateuch. The different names for Deity and these doublets caused them to theorize several authors/editors (see Dr. Utley’s discussion of this in the introduction [Authorship] of his commentary on Genesis 1-11, available free online at www.freebiblecommentary.org). Also note the good brief discussion in Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 118-120.
Gen 20:16 “a thousand pieces of silver” Most translations assume that the term “shekel” should appear here because it was the normal term for “weight of valuable metal” in the Ancient Near East (see Special Topic: Ancient Near East Weights and Volumes ). There are several other texts where it is assumed but not stated (cf. Gen 37:28; Jdg 17:2-4; Jdg 17:10).
NASB, NKJV,”your vindication”
NRSVexoneration”
TEVthat you are innocent”
NJByou have been completely vindicated”
It is uncertain whether or not there are two separate gifts given by Abimelech, one to Abraham (Gen 20:14) and one to Sarah (Gen 20:16), or simply one gift, the monetary value of which is recorded in this verse. I personally believe that there are two separate gifts. The phrase, “your vindication” is literally “for you a covering of the eyes” (CONSTRUCT BDB 492 & 744), which is a Hebrew idiom to show that Sarah was completely innocent and was compensated for the embarrassment.
Gen 20:17 “God healed Abimelech” We do not know the exact disease that came upon Abimelech and his family, but it caused the birth of children to be impossible. Apparently this was one way that God protected Abimelech from having relations with Sarah. Also, from Gen 20:17-18, we see that barrenness was considered a divine curse. This is one reason that Abraham had such a hard time believing God’s words of grace when Sarah was barren.
Gen 20:18 “the LORD closed fast all the wombs” This is the INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and PERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 783 &870), which intensifies the action of the VERB.
This clause is the only place in chapter 20 where the covenant name for Deity, YHWH, is used. In context (Gen 20:17) it is parallel with Elohim. The Samaritan Pentateuch and some LXX manuscripts have Elohim.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why did Abraham represent Sarah as his sister?
2. How do you explain this being done twice to Sarah and once to Rebekah?
3. Why is Sarah’s protection so theologically significant?