Abraham’s Covenant with Abimelech
This story takes place between the stories of Isaac and Ishmael and the sacrifice of Isaac.
Why is this passage included in the scriptures?
A glimpse of God working in the life of a man of faith.
Some of the details of God’s sovereign plan for Abraham.
Genesis 21:22-34 (NLT)
Abraham’s Covenant with Abimelech
22 About this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander, to visit Abraham. “God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do,” Abimelech said. 23 “Swear to me in God’s name that you will never deceive me, my children, or any of my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country where you are living as a foreigner.”
24 Abraham replied, “Yes, I swear to it!” 25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had taken by force from Abraham’s servants.
26 “This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Abimelech answered. “I have no idea who is responsible. You have never complained about this before.”
27 Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made a treaty. 28 But Abraham also took seven additional female lambs and set them off by themselves. 29 Abimelech asked, “Why have you set these seven apart from the others?”
30 Abraham replied, “Please accept these seven lambs to show your agreement that I dug this well.” 31 Then he named the place Beersheba (which means “well of the oath”), because that was where they had sworn the oath.
32 After making their covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech left with Phicol, the commander of his army, and they returned home to the land of the Philistines. 33 Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God. 34 And Abraham lived as a foreigner in Philistine country for a long time.
Examine the Scriptures
A quick look into the life of a man living by faith.
A New Testament description of Abraham.
Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16
8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
- It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance.
A glimpse of God working in the life of a man of faith.
Genesis 21:22-34 (NLT)
Abraham’s Covenant with Abimelech
22 About this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander, to visit Abraham.
Abimelech came to Abraham.
“God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do,”
Abimelech recognized that God had blessed Abraham.
- God was helping Abraham in everything he did.
Abimelech said. 23 “Swear to me in God’s name that you will never deceive me, my children, or any of my descendants.
- Abimelech knew that Abraham was deceptive.
Genesis 20:1-10 (NLT)
Abraham Deceives Abimelech
1 Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, 2 Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace.
3 But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!”
4 But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5 Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.”
6 In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. 7 Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.”
8 Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified. 9 Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! 10 Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?”
Proverbs 20:11 (NLT)
Even children are known by the way they act,
whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
Abraham was known by his actions.
- We are known by our actions.
I have been loyal to you,
Genesis 20:14-16 (NLT)
14 Then Abimelech took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female servants, and he presented them to Abraham. He also returned his wife, Sarah, to him. 15 Then Abimelech said, “Look over my land and choose any place where you would like to live.” 16 And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 pieces of silver in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.”
Abimelech had treated Abraham generously.
so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country where you are living as a foreigner.”
Abraham was the outsider.
Technically, Abraham should have gone to Abimelech.
24 Abraham replied, “Yes, I swear to it!”
- Abraham and Abimelech made an oath to be loyal to each other.
A covenant Abraham made with the residents of the land allowing him to live there in peace.
25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had taken by force from Abraham’s servants.
Importance of wells.
The area had limited water resources.
26 “This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Abimelech answered. “I have no idea who is responsible. You have never complained about this before.”
27 Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made a treaty.
A covenant Abraham made with the residents of the land allowing him to live there in peace.
28 But Abraham also took seven additional female lambs and set them off by themselves. 29 Abimelech asked, “Why have you set these seven apart from the others?”
30 Abraham replied, “Please accept these seven lambs to show your agreement that I dug this well.”
- Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant giving ownership of the well to Abraham.
Abraham’s right to ownership of the well.
31 Then he named the place Beersheba (which means “well of the oath” or “well of seven”), because that was where they had sworn the oath.
God was supplying Abraham’s needs.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
- God supplied Abraham’s needs.
32 After making their covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech left with Phicol, the commander of his army, and they returned home to the land of the Philistines.
Abimelech can expect God’s blessing.
Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)
The Call of Abram
1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
33 Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba,
A sign of peaceful security.
Zechariah 3:10 (NLT)
“And on that day, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, each of you will invite your neighbor to sit with you peacefully under your own grapevine and fig tree.”
The covenant Abraham made with the residents of the land allowed him to live there in peace.
and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God.
Abraham’s worship continues in chapter 22.
Genesis 22:5 New Living Translation (NLT)
“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”
- Abraham worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God.
34 And Abraham lived as a foreigner in Philistine country for a long time.
Life applications:
- Christians (like Abraham) are temporary residents living in a foreign land.
1 Peter 1:1 (NLT)
1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.
I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
1 Peter 2:11 (NLT)
Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.
Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Philippians 3:20 (NLT)
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
Live by faith. Christians, like Abraham, live by believing and not by seeing.
- Christians are called to live by faith.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT)
For we live by believing and not by seeing.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
Worship the Lord
Luke 4:8 (NLT)
Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’”
- The scriptures tell Christians to worship the Lord and serve Him only.
