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Abimelech King of Gerar Who Made a Covenant at Beersheba
About Abimelech
Abimelech was king of Gerar, in the land of the Philistines, and he meets both Abraham and Isaac. He took Sarah into his house on Abraham's word that she was his sister, and God warned him in a dream before he touched her. Twice he came out to swear peace over a disputed well at Beersheba, first with the father and then with the son.
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Abimelech's Character Traits
Abimelech's Life Timeline
God warns him in a dreamc. 2067 BC
God tells him he is a dead man, and he answers that he acted with a clear conscience.
GEN 20:3-7He restores herc. 2067 BC
He gives Abraham sheep, oxen and servants, and a thousand pieces of silver to Sarah.
GEN 20:14-16The covenant at the wellc. 2062 BC
He swears peace with Abraham, who gives him seven ewe lambs for the well.
GEN 21:22-32Isaac comes to Gerarc. 2026 BC
A famine brings Isaac to him, who says the same thing of Rebekah.
GEN 26:1-11He sends Isaac away and returnsc. 2024 BC
He goes to Beersheba to swear with Isaac, saying he sees the LORD is with him.
GEN 26:26-31
Who is linked to Abimelech
- parent of
- sibling of
- spouse of
- covenant with
- master of
- in conflict with
Abimelech's Key Relationships
Abimelech's Key Locations
Spiritual Lessons from Abimelech
The Outsider Who Answers Back
Abimelech is not in the covenant and is not the one who lied, yet he is the one who says, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? The chapter lets a foreign king speak the clearest sentence about justice in it, and lets the patriarch be the one who has to explain himself.
Peace Made Twice
The same quarrel over water returns a generation later with the son, and is settled the same way, with an oath and a meal. Some agreements do not hold by themselves; they have to be made again by the people who inherit them.
Key Verses about Abimelech
Frequently Asked Questions
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