Genesis 20:15 Study Bible: Abimelech said, "Look, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you."

◄ Genesis 20:15 ►

And Abimelech said, "Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you please."

And Abimelech said
The name "Abimelech" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "my father is king." This title was often used for Philistine kings, suggesting a hereditary monarchy. Abimelech's role in this narrative highlights the interaction between Abraham and the surrounding nations. His words reflect a diplomatic and generous spirit, which is significant given the potential for conflict. Historically, this reflects the complex relationships between the patriarchs and the local rulers, emphasizing themes of divine favor and protection over Abraham.

Look, my land is before you
The phrase "my land is before you" indicates an offer of hospitality and generosity. In ancient Near Eastern culture, land was a critical resource, and offering it to a foreigner was a significant gesture of goodwill. This reflects the divine favor Abraham enjoyed, as God had promised him land and descendants. Theologically, this can be seen as a precursor to the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, as even foreign kings recognize his blessed status.

Settle wherever you please
The word "settle" implies a sense of permanence and peace. Abimelech's offer allows Abraham to choose freely, symbolizing a divine provision and the fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham a great nation. The freedom to "settle wherever you please" underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and human agency working in harmony. This phrase also reflects the broader biblical narrative of God providing for His people, ensuring their needs are met even in foreign lands.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Abimelech
The king of Gerar, who took Sarah into his household, believing her to be Abraham's sister. After God intervened, he returned Sarah to Abraham and offered them land to settle.

2. Abraham
The patriarch who journeyed to Gerar and, out of fear, misrepresented Sarah as his sister. Despite his deception, God protected him and his family.

3. Sarah
Abraham's wife, who was taken by Abimelech but later returned unharmed after God warned Abimelech in a dream.

4. Gerar
A Philistine city where Abraham and Sarah sojourned. It is significant as a place of testing and divine intervention.

5. God's Intervention
God appeared to Abimelech in a dream, warning him of the consequences of taking Sarah, thus protecting the covenant promise through Abraham and Sarah.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty and Protection
Despite human failings, God's plans and purposes prevail. He protects His covenant people and fulfills His promises.

The Importance of Integrity
Abraham's deception serves as a reminder of the importance of truthfulness and trust in God's protection rather than relying on human schemes.

God's Grace in Human Weakness
God’s intervention in Abimelech’s dream shows His grace and mercy, even when His people make mistakes. He works through imperfect people to accomplish His will.

Hospitality and Generosity
Abimelech’s offer to Abraham to settle in his land reflects a spirit of generosity and hospitality, which believers are encouraged to emulate.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does God's intervention in Genesis 20:15 demonstrate His faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham?

2. In what ways can we see God's protection in our own lives, similar to His protection over Abraham and Sarah?

3. How does the account of Abraham and Abimelech challenge us to live with integrity and trust in God's provision?

4. What lessons can we learn from Abimelech's response to God's warning and his subsequent actions towards Abraham?

5. How can we practice hospitality and generosity in our own communities, as exemplified by Abimelech's offer to Abraham?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 12
Abraham's earlier journey to Egypt, where he similarly misrepresented Sarah as his sister, leading to divine intervention.

Psalm 105
This psalm recounts God's protection over the patriarchs, including His rebuke of kings for their sake, highlighting His faithfulness.

Hebrews 11
The chapter of faith, which includes Abraham as an example of faith, despite his imperfections and moments of fear.

Sermons

Abraham and Abimelech At Gerar

R.A. Redford

Genesis 20:15, 16

People

Abimelech, Abraham, Sarah

Places

Gerar, Kadesh-barnea, Negeb, Shur Desert

Topics

Abimelech, Abim'elech, Behold, Dwell, Please, Pleases, Pleaseth, Seems, Settle, Whatever, Wherever

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Genesis 20:1-16

6206 offence

Genesis 20:1-18

5076 Abraham, life of
6183 ignorance, of God

Library

The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious Pastor.
In any wise remember, if conveniently it may be, to send for some godly and religious pastor, not only to pray for thee at thy death--for God in such a case hath promised to hear the prayers of the righteous prophets, and elders of the church (Gen. xx. 7; Jer. xviii. 20; xv. 1; 1 Sam. xii. 19, 23; James v. 14, 15, 16)--but also upon thy unfeigned repentance to declare to thee the absolution of thy sins. For as Christ hath given him a calling to baptize thee unto repentance for the remission of thy …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Ascalon. Gerar. The Story of the Eighty Witches.
'Ascalon,' in the Samaritan interpreter, is the same with 'Gerar,' Genesis 21. The word Gerar, among the Talmudists, seems to have passed into 'Gerariku.' "Wherefore (say they) have they not determined of that country, which is in Gerariku? Because it is ill to dwell in. How far? To the river of Egypt. But behold, Gaza is pleasant to dwell in," &c. In the author of Aruch it is, Gardiki. "Bereshith Rabbah (saith he) renders Gardiki." 'The king of Gerar,' Genesis 20:2, with the Jerusalem Targumist, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

And to Holy David Indeed it Might More Justly be Said...
22. And to holy David indeed it might more justly be said, that he ought not to have been angry; no, not with one however ungrateful and rendering evil for good; yet if, as man, anger did steal over him, he ought not to have let it so prevail, that he should swear to do a thing which either by giving way to his rage he should do, or by breaking his oath leave undone. But to the other, set as he was amid the libidinous frenzy of the Sodomites, who would dare to say, "Although thy guests in thine own …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
[Sidenote: Importance of regarding each story as a unit] Of all the different groups of writings in the Old Testament, undoubtedly the early narratives found in the first seven books present the most perplexing problems. This is primarily due to the fact that they have been subject to a long process of editorial revision by which stories, some very old and others very late and written from a very different point of view, have been closely joined together. While there is a distinct aim and unity …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^A Matt. I. 18-25. ^a 18 Now the birth [The birth of Jesus is to handled with reverential awe. We are not to probe into its mysteries with presumptuous curiosity. The birth of common persons is mysterious enough (Eccl. ix. 5; Ps. cxxxix. 13-16), and we do not well, therefore, if we seek to be wise above what is written as to the birth of the Son of God] of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed [The Jews were usually betrothed ten or twelve months …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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