Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered for Abimelech

◄ Prayer: Answered for Abimelech ►

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In the biblical narrative, the account of Abimelech, king of Gerar, provides a profound example of answered prayer, demonstrating God's justice and mercy. This event is recorded in Genesis 20, where Abimelech encounters Abraham and Sarah.

Context and Background

Abraham, journeying through the region of Gerar, introduces Sarah as his sister, fearing for his life due to her beauty. Unaware of their true relationship, Abimelech takes Sarah into his household. However, God intervenes by appearing to Abimelech in a dream, warning him of the grave consequences of his actions, as Sarah is a married woman.

Divine Warning and Abimelech's Response

In Genesis 20:3-7 , God says to Abimelech in the dream, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman." Abimelech, who had not approached Sarah, pleads his innocence, stating that he acted with a clear conscience and clean hands. God acknowledges Abimelech's integrity and instructs him to return Sarah to Abraham, noting that Abraham is a prophet who will pray for him.

Abimelech's Prayer and Restoration

Following God's instructions, Abimelech promptly returns Sarah to Abraham and provides him with sheep, cattle, and servants as a gesture of restitution. He also grants Abraham the freedom to dwell anywhere in his land. Abimelech then seeks Abraham's intercession, as God had commanded.

Genesis 20:17-18 records the outcome: "Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his maidservants, so that they could bear children, for the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household on account of Sarah, Abraham’s wife."

Theological Implications

This account highlights several key theological themes:

1. God's Sovereignty and Justice: God's intervention in Abimelech's dream underscores His sovereign control over human affairs and His commitment to justice. Despite Abimelech's ignorance, God holds him accountable but also provides a path to restoration.

2. The Power of Intercessory Prayer: Abraham's role as an intercessor is pivotal. His prayer leads to the healing of Abimelech's household, illustrating the efficacy of intercessory prayer and the importance of righteous individuals in mediating God's blessings.

3. Divine Mercy and Repentance: Abimelech's swift obedience to God's warning and his actions to rectify the situation demonstrate a repentant heart. God's response to Abraham's prayer reflects His mercy and willingness to forgive those who earnestly seek to align with His will.

4. The Role of Prophets: Abraham is identified as a prophet, emphasizing the unique relationship between God and His chosen messengers. Prophets serve as conduits of divine communication and blessing, as seen in Abraham's intercession for Abimelech.

In summary, the narrative of Abimelech's answered prayer serves as a testament to God's justice, the power of prayer, and the transformative potential of repentance and obedience to divine instruction.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 20:17
So Abraham prayed to God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bore children.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of ... prayed." The story
of every great Christian achievement is the history of answered prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Intercession Every Christian's Duty
... And the sequel of the story informs us, how remarkably his prayer as answered. ... How
was Abimelech's house freed from the disease God sent amongst them, at ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/intercession every christians duty.htm

Family Religion.
... the cross of Christ!" Upon them shall be answered the prayer ... same may be said of
the family altar and prayer. ... to say, as Abraham said to Abimelech, "Surely the ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter iii family religion.htm

Abraham
... Lot his nephew, Abimelech, Aner, Eshcol, Mamre, and others ... knew what true prayer
means"the prayer of the ... all men's hearts"something which ANSWERED to God's ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon v abraham.htm

The First Book
... if he were not sure that God hearkens to prayer. ... after the commission of his crime,
he answered that he ... of the Philistines, the rapine of Abimelech"many evils ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

Anti-Pelagian Writings
... that it was not improper for him to ask forgiveness in prayer, when he ... Pelagius'
Book, Which Was Sent by Timasius and Jacobus to Augustin, Was Answered by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/anti-pelagian writings/

The Census and the Journey of the Holy Family
... Joshua 24..26.) It was here that Abimelech, the son ... bearing cloud, and had made a
place of prayer in her ... So this was a terebinth tree?' she answered in sudden ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/x the census and the.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... it today that Joseph started for Egypt?' She answered very clearly ... A lamp was burning
during the prayer. ... Abimelech, the son of Gideon, was hailed here as king ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

Psalms
... cxxiii., cxxxi., cxl., cxli., cxlii; (b) answered prayers, xxii ... in substituting the
name of Abimelech (Genesis 20. ... that He was the hearer of prayer, and that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/psalms.htm

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
... Objection answered. ... and false confidence, will stimulate us to constant prayer, while
at ... The Lord rebuking King Abimelech for having carried off the wife of ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 use to be.htm