The Case Of Abimelech Genesis 20:1-18. An Exposition.

Genesis 20 is devoted entirely to the case of Abimelech, king of Gerar.

Abraham told a half truth (which is none other than a lie) to Abimelech (father-king), indeed Sarah was his half sister, but was also his wife. In this concise account, Abimelech took Sarah. (v 2). The inference is obvious that he was going to take Sarah to be one of his wives, this being a privilege claimed by eastern sovereigns, see Genesis 12:10-20; the forerunner of this present episode in the case of Pharaoh, to whom (the then) Abram told the same half truth! But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. (v 3). In the short time that Abimelech possessed Sarah, he was withheld from having his way with her because God restrained him. The heathen king claimed that he did this thing in the integrity of my heart and the innocency of my hands have I done this. (v 5). To which God replied unto him in the dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. (v 6 - my emphasis). God then goes on to command the king to restore the man his wife...and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, (v 7).

The subsequent verses reveal that Abimelech heeded God's warning, and Abraham and Sarah went on their way with many gifts from the heathen king (vs 14-16) which must have served to heap coals of fire on the patriarch's head! (Romans 12:20). Of Abraham, it is noteworthy that Moses calls Sarah his wife (v 14) and Abimelech says of the patriarch he is thy brother (v 16), and this after God clearly and unequivocally told him she is a man's wife (v 3), such is the inveterate nature of man-left to himself! As to Abimelech's integrity, this was entirely from God, for without His intervention the heathen king doubtless would have done to Sarah as he desired. Sarah was reproved (v 16) by Abimelech for going along with Abraham's deception: And of the pieces of silver received from the king, she was told it was for a covering of the eyes; that is a veil, worn by her daughter in law (Rebekah) as Genesis 24:65 reveals (first mention in Scripture of veil). If it were customary for married women in our day to wear veils the heinous crime of adultery would no doubt rapidly diminish (heinous to God, at any rate)!
Today we have a bizarre situation where practically everyone is forced to wear a mask covering the mouth and nose, and yet, the unbeliever would have us believe the Bible is a book of myths! What is going on in our day in many respects far transcends what happened in the real time Scripture narrative, yet the vast majority will not seek God!

This account only goes to prove that The kings heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will. Proverbs 21:1, so much for man's 'free-will'!