Genesis 20:9-11 NIV

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 20:9

Then Abimelech called Abraham ,.... Who might be in the king's palace, being taken into it caressed by the king for the sake of Sarah: and said unto him ; not in a passion, as might have been expected, but in a mild and gentle manner, yet with great strength of reasoning, and making very just expostulations with him: what hast thou done unto us ? what evil to him, his family, and his subjects? this was very probably said in the presence of his servants he had called, and therefore... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:10

And Abimelech said unto Abraham ,.... Continuing his discourse with him: what sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing ? he desires to know what he had observed, either in him or his people, that gave him any reason to conclude that they were a lustful people, and would stick at nothing to gratify their lusts, which put him upon taking such a method to secure his life, lest they should kill him for his wife's sake. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:11

And Abraham said ,.... In defence of himself, as well as he could: because I thought ; within himself, concluding from the general depravity of the Canaanites, that this was the case of the inhabitants of Gerar: surely the fear of God is not in this place ; this is a certain truth, which he thought might be depended upon, and taken for granted, since so it was everywhere: or "only" F5 רק "tantum", Montanus; so Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius; so the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:11

And Abraham said - The best excuse he could make for his conduct, which in this instance is far from defensible. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:9

Verse 9 9.Then Abimelech called Abraham. There are those who suppose that the king of Gerar did not make a complaint against Abraham; but rather declared his own repentance. If, however we fairly weigh his words we find confession mixed with expostulation. Although he complains that Abraham had acted unjustly, he yet does not so transfer the blame to him, as to free himself from all fault. And he may, with justice, impute part of the blame to Abraham, as he does; provided he also acknowledges... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:10

Verse 10 10.What sawest thou that thou hast done this thing ? By this question the king provides against the future. He thinks that Abraham had not practiced this dissimulation inconsiderately; and, since God was grievously offended, he fears to fall again into the same danger. He therefore testifies, by an inquiry so earnest, that he wishes to remedy the evil. Now, it is no common sign of a just and meek disposition in Abimelech, that he allows Abraham a free defense. We know how sharply, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:11

Verse 11 11.And Abraham said. There are two points contained in this answer. For, first, he confesses that he had been induced by fear to conceal his marriage. He then denies that he had lied for the purpose of excusing himself. Now, although Abraham declares with truth, that he had not concealed his marriage with any fraudulent intention, nor for the purpose of injuring any one; yet he was worthy of censure, because, through fear, he had submitted, so far as he was concerned, to the... 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 20:9

Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him (in the presence of his people), What hast thou done unto us ?—identifying himself once more with his people, as he had already done in responding to God ( Genesis 20:4 )— and what have I offended thee , that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? The gravamen of Abimelech's accusation was that Abraham had led him and his to offend against God, and so to lay themselves open to the penalties of wrong-doing. Thou hast... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 20:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 20:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 20:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 20:9

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