And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, What hast thou done to us? And in what have I sinned against thee, that thou hast brought on me, and on my kingdom, a great sin? Thou hast done to me deeds that ought not to be done.
And Abimelech said to Abraham, What hast thou seen that thou hast done this?
And Abraham said, Because I said, Surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they will kill me for my wife’s sake. But she is also truly my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
And it came to pass when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, Let this be thy kindness which thou shalt shew to me: at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
Genesis 20 : 9 – 13 (Darby Translation)
“See here much to blame, even in the father of the faithful. Mark his distrust of God, his undue care about life, his intent to deceive.
He also threw temptation in the way of others, caused affliction to them, exposed himself and Sarah to just rebukes, and yet attempted an excuse. These things are written for our warning, not for us to imitate.
Even Abraham hath not whereof to glory. He cannot be justified by his works, but must be indebted for justification, to that righteousness which is upon all and unto all them that believe. We must not condemn all as hypocrites who fall into sin, if they do not continue in it. But let the unhumbled and impenitent take heed that they do not sin on, thinking that grace may abound.
Abimelech, being warned of God, takes the warning; and being truly afraid of sin and its consequences, he rose early to pursue the directions given him.”#
# Taken Form Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.
