Gen 16:1-4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 16:1-16: 16:1-16 While waiting for their promised son to be born, Abram and Sarai attempted an alternate plan that was not in keeping with faith. Summary for Gen 16:1-3: 16:1-3 Abram and Sarai faced the tension of her being barren and beyond childbearing years. By custom, a barren woman could give her servant to her husband as a slave-wife; the child born to that union was considered the wife’s child and could be adopted as the heir. Sarai’s suggestion, unobjectionable by custom, set a problematic human plan in motion. God’s promises would be fulfilled by faith.

a16:1-16►

b16:1-3►

c16:4-6►

dProv 30:21-23►

‏ Genesis 16:1-4

Summary for Gen 16:1-16: 16:1-16 ^a While waiting for their promised son to be born, Abram and Sarai attempted an alternate plan that was not in keeping with faith.
Summary for Gen 16:1-3: 16:1-3 ^b Abram and Sarai faced the tension of her being barren and beyond childbearing years. By custom, a barren woman could give her servant to her husband as a slave-wife; the child born to that union was considered the wife’s child and could be adopted as the heir. Sarai’s suggestion, unobjectionable by custom, set a problematic human plan in motion. God’s promises would be fulfilled by faith.
Summary for Gen 16:4-6: 16:4-6 ^c Perhaps Hagar expected to become the favored wife instead of Sarai (cp. Prov 30:21-23 ^d).