Genesis 20

Abraham and Abimelek

1 Abraham left Mamre and moved to the region of the Negev. He settled between Kadesh and Shur and stayed in Gerar for a while.

2 Abraham told people that Sarah was his sister, so King Abimelek of Gerar took her into his palace.

3 But God showed up to Abimelek in a dream and said, ‘Listen, you are as good as dead because the woman you took is married!’

4 Abimelek had not touched her yet, so he said, ‘Lord, are You really going to destroy an innocent nation,’

5 ‘Did not Abraham tell me she is his sister, And did she not say the same, I did this with a clear conscience.’

6 God said, ‘Yeah, I know you did not mean to mess up. That is why I kept you from sinning against Me by not letting you touch her.’

7 ‘Now, give the woman back to her husband. He is a prophet, and he will pray for you so you will not die. But if you do not, you and everyone with you are done.’

Abimelek Confronts Abraham

8 Abimelek got up early in the morning, called his officials, and told them everything. They were shook.

9 Then Abimelek called Abraham and said, ‘What did you do to us, Why did you bring this mess on me and my kingdom, That is not right!’

10 ‘What were you thinking when you did this?’

11 Abraham said, ‘I thought, These people do not fear God, and they will kill me to take my wife.’

12 ‘Besides, she really is my sister, we got the same dad but different moms. And then she became my wife.’

13 ‘When God made me leave my father’s house and travel, I told her, This is how you can show me love: tell people I am your brother wherever we go.’

Abimelek Makes Things Right

14 Abimelek gave Sarah back to Abraham and threw in some sheep, cattle, and servants as a peace offering.

15 He said, ‘Look, my land is open to you. Settle wherever you like.’

16 Then he told Sarah, ‘I am giving your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is proof to everyone that you are innocent, so no one can accuse you of anything.’

17 Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelek, his wife, and his female servants so they could have kids again.

18 See, God had closed every womb in Abimelek’s household because he had taken Sarah.