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Genesis 20

18 verses

TL;DR

Abraham, fearing for his life, claims his wife Sarah is his sister; the king Abimelech takes her, but God warns Abimelech in a dream and restores Sarah, after which Abimelech is healed.

Summary

Abraham, traveling south between Kadesh and Shur, settles in Gerar and tells the king that Sarah is his sister. Abimelech takes Sarah, but God appears to him in a dream warning that Sarah is a married woman. Abimelech, fearing sin, withdraws from her and returns her to Abraham, giving him gifts and offering his land. Abraham explains his deception as fear of death in a place without God’s presence. Abimelech is healed, as are his wife and servants, and the king’s children are born, showing divine mercy. The chapter ends with God’s protection of Abimelech’s family from infertility.

Outline
  1. Abraham deceives Abimelech about Sarah’s identity; Abimelech takes her but is warned by God in a dream.
  2. Abimelech withdraws, restores Sarah to Abraham, and is offered land and livestock.
  3. God heals Abimelech and his household, restoring fertility and blessing the family.
Themes
Deception and its consequencesDivine intervention and protectionThe power of confession and faith
Keywords
sisterprophetdreamsilverfertilitykingAbrahamSarahAbimelechGod
People
AbrahamSarahAbimelech
Places
GerarKadeshShur
Things
dreamthousand pieces of silverlivestockprophecyfertility
Key Verses
  • Genesis 20:3: Abimelech receives a divine warning in a dream about taking Sarah
  • Genesis 20:6: God acknowledges Abimelech’s integrity and declares he will not let him sin
  • Genesis 20:14: Abimelech gifts Abraham livestock and a thousand silver pieces, restoring Sarah
  • Genesis 20:17: God heals Abimelech’s family, restoring fertility
  • Genesis 20:18: The final divine act of protection and blessing
Questions
  • Why does Abraham claim Sarah is his sister, and what does this reveal about his trust in God’s protection?
  • How does the dream experienced by Abimelech illustrate the biblical theme of divine intervention in human affairs?
  • In what ways does the restoration of Sarah and the healing of Abimelech’s family demonstrate God’s covenantal care for all people?
  • What moral lessons can be drawn from the interplay between deception, fear, and divine forgiveness in this narrative?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter juxtaposes human fear and deception with divine mercy and healing.