Topical Bible: Peace: Abimelech

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Abimelech in the Bible

The name "Abimelech" appears multiple times in the Old Testament, referring to different individuals. The most notable Abimelech is the king of Gerar, who interacts with both Abraham and Isaac in the Book of Genesis. The name "Abimelech" itself means "my father is king," which may have been a royal title rather than a personal name.

Abimelech and Abraham

In Genesis 20, Abraham journeys to Gerar, where he encounters Abimelech, the king. Fearing for his life because of his wife Sarah's beauty, Abraham tells Abimelech that Sarah is his sister. Abimelech, unaware of the truth, takes Sarah into his household. However, God intervenes by appearing to Abimelech in a dream, warning him that Sarah is a married woman. Abimelech responds with integrity, pleading his innocence and returning Sarah to Abraham. In Genesis 20:14-15 , it is recorded: "Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female servants, gave them to Abraham, and returned his wife Sarah to him. And Abimelech said, 'Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you please.'"

This encounter concludes with a covenant of peace between Abraham and Abimelech. Abraham prays for Abimelech, and God heals Abimelech's household, which had been afflicted with barrenness due to the incident with Sarah. This episode highlights themes of divine intervention, integrity, and reconciliation.

Abimelech and Isaac

The narrative of Abimelech continues in Genesis 26, where Isaac, like his father Abraham, sojourns in Gerar during a famine. Isaac also claims that his wife Rebekah is his sister, fearing for his safety. Abimelech, likely the same king or a successor with the same title, discovers the truth when he sees Isaac showing affection to Rebekah. In Genesis 26:10-11 , Abimelech confronts Isaac: "Abimelech said, 'What is this you have done to us? One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.' So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, 'Whoever harms this man or his wife will surely be put to death.'"

Despite this initial conflict, Isaac prospers in Gerar, which leads to tension with the Philistines. Eventually, Abimelech seeks a peace treaty with Isaac, recognizing the blessing of God upon him. In Genesis 26:28-29 , Abimelech says, "We can plainly see that the LORD has been with you. So we said, 'There should be an oath between us—between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you, that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done nothing but good to you, sending you on your way in peace.'"

Theological Significance

The interactions between Abimelech and the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac underscore the importance of peace and reconciliation in the biblical narrative. Despite misunderstandings and potential conflicts, the parties involved seek to resolve their differences through dialogue and covenant-making. These accounts illustrate the biblical principle that peace is achieved through integrity, divine guidance, and mutual respect. The accounts of Abimelech serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to bring about peace even in challenging circumstances.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 26:29
That you will do us no hurt, as we have not touched you, and as we have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace: you are now the blessed of the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The First Apostle of Peace at any Price
... Try to put me out, then,' and the result might have been that Abimelech and his ... a
man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the first apostle of peace.htm

Concerning Abimelech; and Concerning Ismael the Son of Abraham ...
... He also entreated him to be at peace with him, and to make God ... Whereupon Abimelech
assigned him land and money; and they coventanted to live together without ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 concerning abimelech and.htm

Letter Xlvii. (AD 398. )
... which you yourself quoted of Laban and of Abimelech (if Abimelech did swear ... on the
frontier, but throughout all the provinces, the security of peace rests on ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xlvii a d 398.htm

Chapter xxvi
... And Abimelech said to Isaac: Go away from us, for thou art altogether too powerful ...
Isaac goes as far as possible in the interest of peace: he even "moved away ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

Psalm LII.
... is thus written, "When he changed his countenance in the presence of Abimelech"
[1883] "the ... How beautiful are the feet of them that tell of peace, that tell ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lii.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... Thou shalt abide here unto thy good age, and shalt be buried here, and go with thy
fathers in peace. ... Abimelech the king of Gerar sent for her and took her. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... Hereby nations have been wont to ratify leagues of peace and amity between ... When
Abimelech would assure to himself the friendship of Abraham, although he knew ...
/.../sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/against rash and vain swearing.htm

"Thou Art Now the Blessed of the Lord. "
... These many years we have dwelt in peace, and have enjoyed sweet fellowship together. ...
So, though I use the language of Abimelech and his friends, my motive is a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/thou art now the blessed.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... Second, Abimelech slew seventy of his own brethren (Judges 9:5), and was therefore
a bloody persecutor of Israel. ... "Absalom" means "father of peace." A careful ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

Chapter xxi
... namely that he seemed somewhat reluctant about taking steps to guarantee peace. ...
necessitating the translation, "And as often as Abraham took Abimelech to task ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm