Chapter Overview
This is literally the same story from Genesis 12 with a few name changes and giving the king a reason to not murder AbramHam for lying to him.
AbramHam decides to Journey South (TM). He ends up lying to a local king about Sarah being his sister, definitely not wife, which the king finds out about. As one would be, the king gets angry, but gives AbramHam a stern talking to and bunch of stuff before sending him on his way (sound familiar?).
Additional Thoughts
Given that Abram and Sarai are shown with their godly name changing to Abraham and Sarah, we know this must take place after that incident. At the time, AbramHam was 99 years old while Sarah was also known to be old because she has been with AbramHam this entire time.
This raises the weird question of just what the author of this book had for older ladies. In the Pharaoh story, it’s accepted that even at 70 Sarai is going to draw looks from everyone because she’s so gorgeous. In here, it’s implied that the king really wants Sarah for some reason (presumably because she’s HAWT).
At least this story gives a reason for the king to not kill AbramHam outright for lying to the king’s face. It doesn’t explain why the king feels it’s so important to give AbramHam such a large amount of stuff to take with him though. If this story came earlier, it could be pointed to to show why AbramHam is wealthy. As it is, we just have AbramHam’s wealth springing from nowhere with this being added to it.
Chapter 20: Chapter 12 Redux!
AKA: Old and Unimproved
AKA: Can’t Teach an Old Man New Tricks
- And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
- And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
- But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.
- But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
- Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
- And God said unto him in a 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.
- Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
- Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
- Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
- And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
- And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.
- And yet indeed she is my sister; she is 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 unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
- And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
- And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
- And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
- So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
- For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.
- Why is AbramHam journeying? Towards “the South” again too?
- This is the second time we’ve seen this. Why is AbramHam so insistent on hiding the fact that she’s his wife?
- Why does god decide to intercede in this case before they get it on? He was quite happy to let the Pharaoh and Sarah get jiggy and then release plagues.
- What a nice guy. Probably just let the old lady have a nibble and a nap.
- Here he makes a good case. Why didn’t this work for the Pharaoh? Why did the Pharaoh get plagues? I suspect the writer just hates Egypt for something.
- Did what from the integrity of the heart? Not sleep with an old lady? This sounds like it’s supposed to be a second tale of AbramHam’s journey south, just to this city instead of Egypt.
- AKA: Don’t put your dick in that and let her go.
I’m really wondering why the king took her in anyways. We’re given literally no reason for him to do so. - Sounds like he’s behaving just as reasonable about this as the Pharaoh was. What a swell guy. He must really have the hots for Sarah.
- Basically the same as Genesis 12:18-19.
“””And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?””” - Also a very reasonable question. Why does AbramHam fear for his life at all.
- But why? Why would they kill you if you’re travelling with your wife? It seems like AbramHam and Sarah don’t like each other.
- Very incestuous. He’s been lying through omission then. Telling part of the truth while leaving out important bits is still a lie. Strange that god seems to be ok with this.
- But why? Why would you want to have her say she’s your sister, not wife? Do you not like her? Are you ashamed of marrying your sister? I’d expect the king to start asking a lot of pressing questions about now.
- This would be a better explanation for how AbramHam became incredibly wealthy. It’s not anymore because in the narrative, this is after the godly name change.
- But why? It seems like a better plan would be to kick him out like the Pharaoh did.
- What a nice king… he makes sure to tell the old woman that she has nothing to worry about and that he’s ensuring her husband is rich. Even though there is no reason for him to give AbramHam anything.
- This is apparently supposed to be the reason for the king helping? Why was the need for healing not mentioned earlier?
- Just how long were they here? This implies many years if not decades if they were having trouble getting pregnant.