Gen 20 | EE | STEP | Abraham moved on to the land of Negev. He lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a time he stayed in Gerar.

Genesis 20

Abraham and Abimelech

1 Abraham moved on to the land of Negev. He lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a time he stayed in Gerar. 2 While he was there, he told people that Sarah was his sister. Because of this, Abimelech sent for Sarah. Abimelech is the king of Gerar. He wanted Sarah to be his wife.

3 But God spoke to Abimelech in a dream. God said, ‘You are a dead man. This is because of the woman that you have taken. She is a married woman.’ 4 But Abimelech had not gone near Sarah. He said, ‘Will you destroy people who have not done anything wrong? 5 Abraham said to me “I am her brother.” Sarah said to me “I am his sister.” I did not know that I was doing anything wrong.’ 6 God spoke to Abimelech in a dream. God said, ‘You did not know that you were doing wrong. I knew that. So I kept you from sinning against me. I did not let you touch her. 7 Give her back to her husband. He is a prophet. He will pray for you. Then you will live. If you do not give her back, be sure of this. You and your household will die.’

8 Early the next morning, Abimelech called together his officers. He told them what had happened. They were very afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham to him. Abimelech said, ‘What have you done to us? What have I done against you? Why have you brought this bad sin on me? You should not have done this to me.’ 10 Abimelech asked Abraham, ‘Why did you do this?’ 11 Abraham said, ‘Because I thought that the people here were not afraid of God. They will kill me because of my wife.’ ^{▼▼20:11 Verses 1-11 are like Genesis 12:11-20. Again, Abraham does not think that God will keep him safe.}

12 Abraham said, ‘But she is my sister. She is the daughter of my father. But she is not the daughter of my mother. And she became my wife. 13 God caused me to leave my father’s household. Then I said to her, “This is how you can show your love for me. Everywhere we go, tell people that I am your brother.”’

14 Abimelech brought sheep and cows. He also brought male and female slaves. He gave them to Abraham. He gave Sarah, Abraham’s wife back to him. 15 Abimelech said, ‘Here is my land. Live anywhere you want to live.’ 16 He said to Sarah, ‘I have given your brother 1000 pieces of silver. This is to show everyone that you did nothing wrong.’ 17 Then Abraham prayed to God. And God made Abimelech well again. He also made his wife and his female slaves well again. So, they could have children again. 18 The LORD had made them unable to have children. God had done this because of Abraham’s wife, Sarah.