Genesis 20:9
Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse is remarkable because it reveals a heathen king, Abimelech, possessing a higher moral standard than Abraham, the man of faith. Abimelech's expostulation highlights that Abraham's deception exposed him and his kingdom to the grave sin of adultery, a transgression even an ungodly society recognized as deeply wrong.
Abraham, now living in the land of the Philistines near Gerar, once again claimed his wife Sarah was his sister out of fear for his life. God intervened in a dream, revealing Sarah's true identity to King Abimelech and warning him that he would die for taking her as his wife. After Abimelech confronted Abraham, the patriarch admitted his deception stemmed from a lack of faith that God's protection would be sufficient in that place.
Abraham, the father of faith, is confronted by a pagan king. What does this encounter reveal about true righteousness?
In Genesis 20, Abraham, out of fear, tells his wife Sarah to pretend to be his sister. This leads King Abimelech of Gerar to take Sarah as his wife, unaware she is married. God intervenes in a dream, revealing Sarah's true identity and warning Abimelech.
When Abimelech confronts Abraham, he doesn't just express anger; he questions Abraham's actions with profound moral clarity:
The Accusation:
'What hast thou done to us? ... what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.'
Notice how Abimelech, a non-Israelite, understands that Abraham’s deception has put him and his kingdom in danger of committing a 'great sin.' This isn't just about Abraham's personal failing; it's about the ripple effect of his distrust. Even without direct revelation from God like Abraham, Abimelech's conscience and the customs of his people (as reflected in the higher moral standards of the time, akin to the Code of Hammurabi) recognize the gravity of adultery and the wrongness of Abraham's deceptive actions. It's a stark reminder that righteousness isn't exclusive to those who know God's law intimately.
Abraham, called a prophet, acted out of fear. How does this contrast highlight God's unwavering commitment?
It's easy to view biblical heroes as perfect, but Genesis 20 shows Abraham, a man chosen by God and later called a prophet, acting with profound weakness. His fear led him to repeat a mistake he’d made before (Genesis 12:10-20), causing deception and endangering Sarah and Abimelech's kingdom.
God's Intervention:
Despite Abraham's lapse, God doesn't abandon him or the situation. He directly intervenes:
Understand the original words
chata'ah · Hebrew Noun
An action that deviates from God’s commandments or standard. In a communal context, sin brings guilt upon a group, necessitating atonement or repentance to restore divine favor.
This event highlights a significant moral failing by Abraham, the father of faith, who, out of fear, lied about his wife Sarah. It's striking that a heathen king like Abimelech demonstrates a higher moral standard, rebuking Abraham for actions that nearly led to adultery within his kingdom.
c. 2000 BC— this verse
Abraham Sojourns in Gerar
Abraham travels to the region of Gerar, a Philistine city in southern Canaan, and tells the people that his wife Sarah is his sister.
c. 2000 BC
Abimelech Takes Sarah
King Abimelech of Gerar, hearing Sarah is unmarried, takes her into his household with the intention of marrying her.
c. 2000 BC
God Warns Abimelech
God appears to Abimelech in a dream, revealing that Sarah is Abraham's wife and that Abimelech will die for taking her. God also reveals He withheld Abimelech from sinning.
c. 2000 BC
Abimelech Restores Sarah
Abimelech confronts Abraham, returns Sarah, and provides gifts and land to Abraham, reproving him for his deceit.
This passage recounts an almost identical situation where Abraham, out of fear, claimed his wife Sarah was his sister, leading to her being taken into Pharaoh's house and God intervening to protect her and punish Egypt.
Genesis 26:6-11Here, Isaac, Abraham's son, repeats the same pattern of deception regarding his wife Rebekah out of fear of the inhabitants of Gerar, and King Abimelech again recognizes and rebukes the sin.
Leviticus 18:20This verse explicitly condemns adultery, highlighting the severity of the sin Abimelech feared and highlighting the moral understanding of even a non-Israelite king regarding such transgressions.
Exodus 20:14The commandment 'You shall not commit adultery' underscores the gravity of the sin Abimelech accuses Abraham of bringing upon his kingdom, revealing a universal moral law that God upholds.
Psalm 105:14This Psalm speaks of God protecting His people and rebuking kings for the sake of His servants, directly paralleling Abimelech's experience of being rebuked by God for his actions concerning Abraham and Sarah.
calvinGenesis 20:1-18: "And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar."
Et dixit Abraham de Sarah uxore sua, Soror mea est. Et misit Abimelech rex Gerar, et accepit Sarah.
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
Et venit Jehova ad Abimelech in somnio noctis, et dixit et, Ecce es mortuus, propter uxor…
gillGenesis 20:9: "Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done."
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…
This verse is remarkable because it reveals a heathen king, Abimelech, possessing a higher moral standard than Abraham, the man of faith. Abimelech's expostulation highlights that Abraham's deception exposed him and his kingdom to the grave sin of adultery, a transgression even an ungodly society recognized as deeply wrong.
Abraham, now living in the land of the Philistines near Gerar, once again claimed his wife Sarah was his sister out of fear for his life. God intervened in a dream, revealing Sarah's true identity to King Abimelech and warning him that he would die for taking her as his wife. After Abimelech confronted Abraham, the patriarch admitted his deception stemmed from a lack of faith that God's protection would be sufficient in that place.
Abraham, now living in the land of the Philistines near Gerar, once again claimed his wife Sarah was his sister out of fear for his life. God intervened in a dream, revealing Sarah's true identity to King Abimelech and warning him that he would die for taking her as his wife. After Abimelech confronted Abraham, the patriarch admitted his deception stemmed from a lack of faith that God's protection would be sufficient in that place.
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This narrative is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness. Even when His chosen servant stumbles, God remains committed to His covenant promises and His people's well-being. He uses flawed individuals, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in weakness.
c. 2000 BC
God Heals Gerar
Abraham prays for Abimelech and his household, and God heals the barrenness He had inflicted on them because of Sarah's presence.
"Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.”" — This verse is remarkable because it reveals a heathen king, Abimelech, possessing a higher moral standard than Abraham, the man of faith. Abimelech's expostulation highlights that Abraham's deception…
