Genesis 20
Summary for Gen 20:1-18: 20:1-18 a This second “sister story” in Genesis (cp. 12:10-20 b) occurred shortly before Sarah became pregnant with Isaac (ch 21 c). On both occasions, God protected Abraham and Sarah’s marriage in purity for the sake of the covenant promises. Participation in God’s plan requires separation from worldly corruption.• This story took place in the Promised Land; it showed Israel how God intervened in people’s lives to fulfill his plan, how God continued to protect them against threats from other tribes, and how God used his chosen people to mediate his relationship with the nations.
• God’s preventing the destruction of Abraham’s marriage by adultery reminded the Israelites to keep their marriages morally and racially pure (Ezra 9:1-4 d; Neh 13:23-27 e; Mal 2:10-17 f); they should not allow any opportunity for temptation (Exod 20:14 g, 17 h; Lev 20:10 i; 21:13-15 j). Adultery would eventually destroy the covenant and the covenant people. 20:1 k Gerar was near the coast in Philistine land, about twelve miles south of Gaza and fifty miles southwest of Hebron.
20:2 l Abraham told the same lie to Abimelech that he had told to Pharaoh (12:13 m); Isaac would later do the same (26:1-11 n), probably having learned this tactic from his father.
• Abimelech (literally my father the king) was probably a title like “Pharaoh” (37:36 o; Exod 1:15 p), not a proper name (see study note on Gen 26:1).
Summary for Gen 20:3-7: 20:3-7 q God gave Abimelech a stern warning against committing adultery; it was a capital offense (cp. Exod 20:14 r), viewed throughout the ancient Near East as a “great sin” (Gen 20:9 s). 20:3 t that night God came ... in a dream: God urgently intervened to stop Abimelech from violating Sarah’s purity shortly before God’s promise was fulfilled (18:10 u; 21:1-3 v).
Summary for Gen 20:4-5: 20:4-5 w Abimelech was innocent (20:6 x); his conscience was clear. Nonetheless, he was about to commit adultery, and ignorance does not excuse guilt (Lev 4:13-14 y).
• will you destroy an innocent nation? Abimelech’s appeal to God echoes Abraham’s earlier words (cp. 18:23-32 z) and rebukes Abraham’s lack of faith on this occasion.
20:6 aa Because Abimelech acted with a clear conscience, God kept him from sinning. God will graciously help those who try to do what is right. When people act with reverence toward God, God gives them more revelation and draws them into more specific faith (see Acts 10 ab).
20:7 ac Abraham’s prayer saved the king’s life and restored his family (20:17-18 ad). Abimelech learned that Abraham’s God was sovereign, and that Abraham, God’s prophet, had received God’s revelation and would intercede for others (see Num 12:13 ae; Deut 9:20 af), even if he did not always live up to the office.
Summary for Gen 20:8-10: 20:8-10 ag Abraham had earned rebukes from Abimelech and from God (cp. 12:17-19 ah). Abimelech was angry that Abraham’s deception had made him guilty of this great sin (see study note on 20:3-7). He knew that taking a married woman into his harem was wrong.
Summary for Gen 20:11-13: 20:11-13 ai Abraham’s duplicity was not a momentary loss of faith. Despite the rebuke he received in Egypt, he practiced this strategy wherever he went (cp. 12:12-13 aj). Living by faith requires perseverance.
Summary for Gen 20:14-16: 20:14-16 ak Abimelech secured his reputation as a good man (see study note on 20:4-5) and demonstrated his integrity. He made amends by allowing Abraham to live in the region and by giving him slaves, livestock (cp. 21:27 al), and 1,000 pieces of silver to compensate ... for any wrong done to Sarah.
Summary for Gen 20:17-18: 20:17-18 am The infertility suggests that some time had passed. God controls births; he opens and closes wombs (25:21 an; 29:31 ao; 30:2 ap, 17 aq, 22-23 ar; 1 Sam 1:19-20 as; Pss 113:9 at; 127:3 au; Luke 1:13 av).
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