Genesis 20:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 20:8-13

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, Gen. 20:8. 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:8

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,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:8

Abimelech rose early, etc. - 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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:8

Verse 8 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 20:1-18

Abraham in Gerar, or two royal sinners. I. THE SIN OF THE HEBREW PATRIARCH 1. An old sin repeated . "Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister." Twenty years before the same miserable equivocation had been circulated in Egypt. A sin once committed is not difficult to repeat, especially if its legitimate consequences, as in the case of Abraham and Sarah, have been mercifully averted. One is apt to fancy that a like immunity will attend its repetition. 2. A ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 20:8

Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning ,—an evidence of the terror into which' he had been cast by the Divine communication, and of his earnest desire to carry out the Divine instructions— and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears :—confessed his fault, explained his danger, and affirmed his intention to repair his error; a proof of the humility of this God-fearing king (Lange)— and the men were sere afraid . It spoke well for the king's household that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 20:1-18

- Abraham in Gerar2. אבימלך .2 'ǎbı̂ymelek, Abimelekh, “father of the king.”7. נביא nābı̂y' “prophet,” he who speaks by God, of God, and to God, who declares to people not merely things future, but also things past and present, that are not obvious to the sense or the reason; related: “flow, go forth.”13. התעוּ hı̂t‛û is plural in punctuation, agreeing grammatically with אלהים 'ĕlohı̂ym. ו(w), however, may be regarded as the third radical, and the verb may thus really be singular.16. נכהת... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:1-18

Abraham deceives Abimelech (20:1-18)From Hebron Abraham moved into the territory of the Philistine king Abimelech. As a result of Abraham’s deceit concerning Sarah, Abimelech took Sarah as a wife and brought God’s threat of death upon him (20:1-7). Upon discovering the truth, Abimelech acted quickly and honourably. He restored Sarah’s honour in the eyes of the people, gave gifts to Abraham, and invited Abraham to settle in his land (8-16). Humbled by these events, Abraham turned again in faith... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 20:8-10

"And Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and wherein have I sinned against 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. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?"Here Abraham received a just rebuke from a... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 20:8

Genesis 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..... read more

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