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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 26:26-33

We have here the contests that had been between Isaac and the Philistines issuing in a happy peace and reconciliation. I. Abimelech pays a friendly visit to Isaac, in token of the respect he had for him, Gen. 26:26. Note, When a man's ways please the Lord he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him, Prov. 16:7. Kings? hearts are in his hands, and when he pleases he can turn them to favour his people. II. Isaac prudently and cautiously questions his sincerity in this visit, Gen. 26:27.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:26

Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar ,.... After Isaac was settled at Beersheba, and was still increasing in his family and substance, of which Abimelech very probably was informed; and fearing lest he should resent his being sent out of his country by him, and the ill treatment he met with afterwards from the herdmen of Gerar in the valley about the wells, and should employ his riches and power against him, and fall upon him, and take his kingdom from him, he took a journey from Gerar to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:27

And Isaac said unto them, wherefore come ye to me ,.... What is the meaning of this visit? what has brought you hither? it cannot be from affection and friendship to me: seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you ? the latter he mentions as a proof of the former; they envied his prosperity, and hated him on that account, and therefore expelled him their country, or at least would not suffer him to dwell among them; and still more glaring proofs were given of the hatred of the men... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:28

And they said, we saw certainly that the Lord was with thee ,.... Not only while he was among them, by the fruitfulness of the land he sowed, by the increase of his family, his flocks and herds, but also since he was gone from them, in the valley of Gerar, and now in Beersheba: and we said ; one to another, assembled in privy council, in which this affair was talked over and debated: let there now be an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee : what was between us and thy father,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:29

That thou wilt do us no hurt ,.... Neither to our persons nor properties, to our kingdom and subjects, by invading our land, and seizing on our kingdom, all which was feared from Isaac's growing wealth and power: as we have not touched thee ; not done the least injury to him, to his person, family, and substance, but suffered him to go away with all he had untouched: and as we have done unto thee, nothing but good ; by royal authority, or by the command and direction of the king and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:30

And he made them a feast ,.... Made a feast like a king, for the king and his grandees; he treated them in a generous way, according to their dignity, and agreeable to his own disposition and substance: and they did eat and drink ; freely, cheerfully, and in a friendly manner; for both having spoken their minds, they agreed to bury all former things oblivion, and live in peace and friendship; though this feast was not on account of the covenant made between them, as is observed by some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:31

And they rose up betimes in the morning ,.... Abimelech and his friends, in order to return home, and Isaac to take his leave of them, and both to make the covenant between them in form, and confirm it by an oath, for which the morning was the fitter time; when the mind is quite free and composed, and attentive to what is done, as so solemn a transaction should be performed with the utmost attention and seriousness: and swore one to another ; to live in amity and friendship, and not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:32

And it came to pass the same day ,.... That the above things were transacted: that Isaac's servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged ; they had dug it before Abimelech came to Isaac, but they had not had an opportunity of acquainting him with it until he was gone, and then they came to give him an account of it, what sort of a well it was, and how it answered their expectations and wishes; and which in those countries was a very great blessing, and served very... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:26

Abimelech went to him - When a man's ways please God, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him; so Isaac experienced on this occasion. Whether this was the same Abimelech and Phichol mentioned Genesis 21:22 , we cannot tell, it is possible both might have been now alive, provided we suppose them young in the days of Abraham; but it is more likely that Abimelech was a general name of the Gerarite kings, and that Phichol was a name of office. Ahuzzath - The Targum translates... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 26:27

Seeing ye hate me - He was justified in thinking thus, because if they did not injure him, they had connived at their servants doing it. read more

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