Genesis 20:4

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 20:4-5

Genesis 20:4-5. Lord, wilt thou slay also, &c.— Abimelech here deprecates the Divine wrath, and enters into a justification of his conduct; declaring that both Abraham and Sarah had united in attesting that Sarah was the sister of Abraham; and that he had not the least apprehension or design of committing so atrocious a crime, as that of taking away a man's wife, and defiling his bed; in the integrity of my heart, and the innocency of my hands, have I done this: a plea which the Almighty... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:1-18

Abraham at Gerar1. Abraham leaves Mamre (Hebron) for Gerar, SW. of Philistia. It seems from Genesis 21:34 that he remained in that district for some years. 2. She is my sister] Twenty years earlier Abraham had used the same device in Egypt and now again he incurs a rebuke from one outside the Covenant. See Genesis 12:11-20 and notes. Abimelech] perhaps, ’Molech is my father,’ in honour of the false god. Cp. Abijah, ’Jehovah is my father.’4. Wilt thou slay also a righteous nation] Abimelech’s... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 20:4

(4) A righteous nation.—Knobel has pointed out that there is an allusion here to the fate of Sodom. Though the malady was confined to Abimelech and his household, yet he sees destruction threatening his whole people, who, compared with the inhabitants of the Ciccar cities, were righteous. There is indirect proof: of the truth of Abimelech’s assertion in the fact that death (see Genesis 20:3) is acquiesced in as the fitting punishment for adultery. read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 20:1-18

CHAPTER 20 Abraham in Gerar 1. Abraham in Gerar (Genesis 20:1 ) 2. Second denial of Sarah (Genesis 20:2 ) 3. God’s dealing with Abimelech (Genesis 20:3-7 ) 4. Abimelech and Abraham (Genesis 20:8-18 ) Note Abraham’s going down to Egypt in chapter 12 and now going to Gerar and denying again Sarah. In chapter 26 Isaac goes also to Gerar and denies Rebekah. It shows what the flesh is. But Abraham is greatly honored by the Lord. The Lord called him a prophet. Abraham prayed and God healed... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 20:4

20:4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also {d} a righteous nation?(d) The infidels confessed that God would not punish but for just occasion: therefore, when he punishes, the occasion is just. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:1-18

ABRAHAM EXPOSED AND REPROVED Now we return to Abraham's history. He journeyed toward the south, which is typical of pleasant circumstances, but nearly always having danger in it. He dwelt between Kadesh and Shur. Kadesh means "set apart for a purpose," which beautifully describes God's work with Abraham, and is true also of all Christians. However, Shur means "point of observation." Does this not tell us that, though we know we are set apart for God, we sometimes look the other way to observe... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:1-18

ABRAHAM AT GERAR Why Abraham took the journey in Genesis 20:1 is not stated, but perhaps to better his pasturage, for he remained in the vicinity for some time (Genesis 21:34 ). Why he employed the same subterfuge about Sarah as before also is not stated except in a general way (Genesis 20:12 ), but it resulted as it did then (Genesis 20:2 ). The chapter illustrates certain principles of God’s dealings with different men: 1. Imputed righteousness, while instantaneously giving man a right... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 20:1-18

Abraham and Abimelech Genesis 20:0 Abraham went from Mamre to the south, and found a fertile country lying between two deserts, the desert of Kadesh and the desert of Shur. The earth is not all fertile, or we should think little of it; neither is it all desert, or we should be driven into despair. Abraham, the great man and prophet of the Lord, once more shows his littleness by giving way to a cowardly fear that strangely divided his heart with the noblest faith found in the ancient world. His... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 20:4-7

Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. Numbers 22:32 ; Psalms 105:14-15 . Abraham is the first person called a prophet in the Scriptures, and that on account of his immediate intercourse with God by way of divine revelation. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:1-8

1-8 Crooked policy will not prosper: it brings ourselves and others into danger. God gives Abimelech notice of his danger of sin, and his danger of death for his sin. Every wilful sinner is a dead man, but Abimelech pleads ignorance. If our consciences witness, that, however we may have been cheated into a snare, we have not knowingly sinned against God, it will be our rejoicing in the day of evil. It is matter of comfort to those who are honest, that God knows their honesty, and will... read more