Genesis 20:2

Abraham and Abimelech

1 And Abraham journeyed from ^athere to the South, and dwelt between ^bKadesh and Shur, and ^cstayed in Gerar.

2 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ^a“She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and ^btook Sarah.

3 But ^aGod came to Abimelech ^bin a dream by night, and said to him, ^c“Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is¹ a man’s wife.”

4 But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, ^awill You slay a righteous nation also?

5 Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ ^aIn the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.”

6 And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For ^aI also withheld you from sinning ^bagainst Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

7 Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; ^afor he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, ^bknow that you shall surely die, you ^cand all who are yours.”

8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid.

9 And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I¹ offended you, ^athat you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me ^bthat ought not to be done.”

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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Genesis 20:2

She is my sister - See the parallel account, Genesis 12 (note), and the notes there. Sarah was now about ninety years of age, and probably pregnant with Isaac. Her beauty, therefore, must have been considerably impaired since the time she was taken in a similar manner by Pharaoh, king of Egypt; but she was probably now chosen by Abimelech more on the account of forming an alliance with Abraham, who was very rich, than on account of any personal accomplishments. A petty king, such as Abimelech, would naturally be glad to form an alliance with such a powerful chief as Abraham was: we cannot but recollect his late defeat of the four confederate Canaanitish kings. See note on Genesis 14:14, etc. This circumstance was sufficient to establish his credit, and cause his friendship to be courted; and what more effectual means could Abimelech use in reference to this than the taking of Sarah, who he understood was Abraham' s sister, to be his concubine or second wife, which in those times had no kind of disgrace attached to it?

**Other Adam Clarke entries containing Genesis 20:2:**

Genesis 20:16
Genesis 26:1

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