Gen 20: Abraham intercedes for Gentiles. Lesson: "Fear of man
will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe" (Pro
29:25).
GERAR: To the sw of Canaan; south of Gaza and of
Philistia. Abraham left the Land of Promise. Reasons? Destruction of Sodom,
doubt about Lot, influx of new peoples, need for better land?
Gen 20:2
ABIMELECH: "My father/king".
AND TOOK HER: Obviously, Sarah would not have gone
willingly; therefore Abimelech, though he protests, must bear some guilt. Sarah
was at Abimelech's court for a considerable time (v 18). Although 90 years old,
Sarah had been rejuvenated, to bear Isaac the child of promise, and had probably
regained her earlier physical attractiveness (WAbr 94). But cp Gen 12:14: even
before promise of seed, Sarah had been quite attractive (because of fair skin,
in ct to the Egyptians, a mark of distinction and beauty?).
Gen 20:3
"He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked
kings: 'Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm' " (Psa
105:14,15). Note that both Abraham (v 7) and Sarah (Gen 21:6,10) are "prophets".
Gen 20:4
LORD: Orig "Yahweh" altered to "Adonai" by Sopherim
(Comp 32).
INNOCENT: "Righteous" in AV, but this is
better.
Gen 20:7
PROPHET: The Heb word for "prophet" is nabiy (=
inspired man). Rt means "to speak by inspiration (in prediction or simple
discourse)"; one to whom anything is secretly communicated. In this latter sense
Abraham was definitely a prophet. So was Sarah: Psa 105:14,15. In the sense of
Abraham predicting the future, later events indicate that he did so on occasion
(Gen 22:8,14). Also cp Gen 18:17 with Amos 3:7.
Gen 20:12
SHE REALLY IS MY SISTER: Sarah was Abraham's niece (Gen
11:29n). In general, note use of "brother" for "nephew" (Gen 14:14): Tes
66:4.
DAUGHTER: Or poss "grand-daughter". Or poss adopted by
Abraham's father as a practical matter of bestowing an inheritance upon
her.
Gen 20:16
A present is offered for the expiation of some fault, but so
large that Abim would be shown to be an honorable man who dealt honorably with
Sarah.
TO COVER THE OFFENSE AGAINST YOU (A COVERING OF THE
EYES): A hint that Sarah and all women with her might best be veiled from
prying eyes. Also, "covering of eyes" sym marriage (Gen 24:65). Thus, a reproof
to Abraham and Sarah. 'By this means equip yourself with a costly veil to tell
all the world that you are married!' (WAbr).