Genesis 20:1-10 ▼

1 Abraham traveled from there to the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was living in Gerar as an outsider,

2 because Abraham kept saying about his wife Sarah, |She is my sister,| King Abimelech of Gerar summoned them and took Sarah into his household.

3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream during the night and spoke to him, |Pay attention! You're about to die, because the woman you have taken is a man's wife!|

4 Now Abimelech had not yet come near her, so he asked, |LORD, will you destroy an innocent nation?

5 Didn't he say to me, 'She's my sister'? And she also said, 'He's my brother.' I did this with pure intentions and clean hands.|

6 Then God replied to him in the dream, |I know that you did this with pure intentions, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore, I didn't allow you to touch her.

7 Now then, return the man's wife. As a matter of fact, he's a prophet and can intercede for you so you'll live. But if you don't return her, be aware that you and all who are yours will certainly die.|

8 So Abimelech got up early the next morning, summoned all his servants, and told them all these things. The men became terrified.

9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked him, |What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such great sin against me and my kingdom? You've done things to me that ought not to have been done.|

10 Abimelech also asked Abraham, |What could you have been thinking when you did this?|