And Abraham said, I will swear.
Quest. How could Abraham lawfully swear this, when Canaan was given by God to him and his seed for ever?
Answ. Neither Abraham nor his seed had any present and actual right to the possession of the land, but only the promise of a right in it, and possession of it after some hundreds of years, and therefore he gave away none of his right by this oath. For this oath did only oblige Abraham, and not his posterity; and Abimelech extended that obligation no further than to his sons son.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Abraham said, I will swear. Sensible of the many favours he had received from Abimelech in times past, and was still indulged with, he very readily agreed to his proposal; and the rather, as he knew by the vision between the pieces, that it would be four hundred years before his posterity should be put into the possession of the land of Canaan; and therefore could take an oath that neither he, nor his son, nor his grandson, should be injured or dispossessed.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
24. And Abraham said, I will swear. Although he had the stronger claim of right, he yet refuses nothing which belonged to the duty of a good and moderate man. And truly, since it is becoming in the sons of God to be freely ready for every duty; nothing is more absurd, than for them to appear reluctant and morose, when what is just is required of them. He did not refuse to swear, because he knew it to be lawful, that covenants should be ratified between men, in the sacred name of God. In short, we see Abraham willingly submitting himself to the laws of his vocation.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
‘And Abraham said, “I will swear”.’
Abraham confirms that he wishes to live at peace and is happy to agree to a renewal of the treaty, but takes the opportunity to deal with certain matters that need sorting out.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 21:24 And Abraham said, I will swear.
Ver. 24. I will swear. ] Abraham quickly consents to so reasonable a request, from so honourable a person. The wisdom from above is “easy to be entreated”. Jam 3:17 The churl Nabal holds it a goodly thing to hold off. It is but manners to reciprocate: very publicans can find in their hearts to do good to those that have been good to them. Mat 5:46-47
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 14:13, Rom 12:18, Heb 6:16
Reciprocal: Gen 31:53 – sware
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
21:24 And Abraham said, I will {k} swear.
(k) So that it is a lawful thing to take an oath in matters of importance, to justify the truth, and to assure others of our sincerity.