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I. ABRAHAM YIELDS READILY TO THE REQUEST FOR HIS FRIENDSHIP. Abimelech's motives in seeking the friendship of Abraham were probably mixed, and included.

1. Expediency.

2. The worship of success.

3. The admiration of goodness.

II. ABRAHAM UNDERTAKES THE DUTIES OF FRIENDSHIP. He freely accepts Abimelech's conditions.

1. True and righteous dealing.

2. Gratitude for favours shown.

3. Faithfulness to the faults of a friend.

III. ABRAHAM RECOGNIZED THE SACREDNESS OF FRIENDSHIP (ver. 24).

(T. H. Leale.)

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KJV: Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.

WEB: Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son. But according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to me, and to the land in which you have lived as a foreigner."