Genesis 20:1

CHAPTER XX

Abraham leaves Mamre, and, after having sojourned at Kadesh and

Shur, settles in Gerar, 1.

Abimelech takes Sarah, Abraham having acknowledged her only as

his sister, 2.

Abimelech is warned by God in a dream to restore Sarah, 3.

He asserts his innocence, 4, 5.

He is farther warned, 6, 7.

Expostulates with Abraham, 8-10.

Abraham vindicates his conduct, 11-13.

Abimelech restores Sarah, makes Abraham a present of sheep,

oxen, and male and female slaves, 14;

offers him a residence in any part of the land, 15;

and reproves Sarah, 16.

At the intercession of Abraham, the curse of barrenness is removed

from Abimelech and his household, 17, 18.

NOTES ON CHAP. XX

Verse Genesis 20:1. And Abraham journeyed] It is very likely that this holy man was so deeply affected with the melancholy prospect of the ruined cities, and not knowing what was become of his nephew Lot and his family, that he could no longer bear to dwell within sight of the place. Having, therefore, struck his tents, and sojourned for a short time at Kadesh and Shur, he fixed his habitation in Gerar, which was a city of Arabia Petraea, under a king of the Philistines called Abimelech, my father king, who appears to have been not only the father of his people, but also a righteous man.