Abraham, Sarah and Abimelech

Abraham travelled to the southern region and lived as a foreigner in Gerar, between Kadesh and Shur. There he said that Sarah, his wife, was his sister. Because of this, Abimelech the king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.

But in the night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him that Sarah was a married woman. The passage makes clear that Abimelech had not gone near her. Abimelech answered that he had acted with a clear conscience, because both Abraham and Sarah had said she was his sister.

God said he knew Abimelech had acted with integrity, and that he had kept him from sinning by not allowing him to touch Sarah. Then God told him to return her to Abraham. God called Abraham a prophet and said Abraham would pray for him so that he would live. When Abimelech told his servants, the men were very afraid.

Early the next morning Abimelech confronted Abraham. He said Abraham had brought a great sin on him and his kingdom by doing what should not be done. Abraham explained that he feared the people might kill him because of Sarah. He also said Sarah was indeed his half-sister, and that they had agreed to say this wherever they travelled.

Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham and gave him sheep, cattle, and male and female servants. He also offered Abraham a place to live in his land. To Sarah he spoke publicly so that she was vindicated before others. Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, because the Lord had closed the wombs in Abimelech's house on account of Sarah, Abraham's wife.