Genesis 20:3-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 20:3-7

It appears by this that God revealed himself by dreams (which evidenced themselves to be divine and supernatural) not only to his servants the prophets, but even to those who were out of the pale of the church and covenant; but then, usually, it was with some regard to God's own people as in Pharaoh's dream, to Joseph, in Nebuchadnezzar?s, to Daniel, and here, in Abimelech?s, to Abraham and Sarah, for he reproved this king for their sake, Ps. 105:14, 15. I. God gives him notice of his danger... read more

Matthew Henry

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 20:3

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night ,.... Put a dream into his mind, by which he cautioned him against taking Sarah to be his wife; so careful was the Lord that no wrong should be done to such a godly and virtuous person, to which she was exposed through the weakness of her husband. Aben Ezra wrongly interprets this of an angel, when it was God himself: and said unto him, behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken ; that is, God would punish him with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:4

But Abimelech had not come near her ,.... Sarah had been put into an apartment in his palace, and not yet admitted into his company, not at least to his bed; he had not lain with her, which is the design of the expression: the Septuagint version is, "had not touched her", as in Genesis 20:6 ; which is another phrase expressive of the same thing: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation ? meaning either his family, the greater part of which were not accessory to this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:5

Said he not unto me, she is my sister ?.... By this it appears, that Abimelech had a personal conversation with Abraham, and inquired of him about Sarah, who she was, and what relation she was to him, who told him that she was his sister; and for the truth of this he appeals to the omniscient God, who knew that Abraham had told him this: and she, even she herself said, he is my brother ; when Sarah was asked what relation she stood in to Abraham, and he to her, she declared he was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:6

And God said unto him in a dream ,.... The same dream continued: yea , or "also" I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart ; not only thou knowest, but I, who know all things, know and acknowledge that this was so done by thee. Abimelech's plea is admitted, and a very great testimony borne to his integrity in this matter; and throughout the whole account he appears to be a man of great honour and uprightness, especially in this affair, if not a good man: for I also... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:7

Now therefore restore the man his wife ,.... Which will be a full proof and evidence to all of the integrity of thy heart, and the innocence of thine hands, which thou pleadest, and which I own: for he is a prophet ; familiar with God, dear unto him, a friend of his, to whom he communicates his secrets; is able to foretell things to come, as well as to interpret the mind of God, and instruct in the knowledge of divine things, all which agrees with Abraham's character; and he is the... 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 20:3

But God came to Abimelech - Thus we find that persons who were not of the family of Abraham had the knowledge of the true God. Indeed, all the Gerarites are termed צדיק גוי goi tsaddik , a righteous nation, Genesis 20:4 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:5

In the integrity of my heart, etc. - Had Abimelech any other than honorable views in taking Sarah, he could not have justified himself thus to his Maker; and that these views were of the most honorable kind, God himself, to whom the appeal was made, asserts in the most direct manner, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart. read more

Group of Brands