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The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:18
Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand. Literally, bind fast ray hand to him, i.e. give him thy support now, and take cars of him till he reaches manhood. Cf. God's promise to Israel (Isaiah 42:6). For I wil…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:19
Hagar in the wilderness. "And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water." Hagar in the wilderness. Why? She had no pleasure in her home; would not accept her position there. Hence Ishmael's mocking. Compare worki…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:19
And God opened her eyes. Not necessarily by miraculous operation; perhaps simply by providentially guiding her search for water, after the administered consolation had revived her spirit and roused her energies. And she…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:20
God's care for Ishmael. "And God was with the lad." The encampment of Abraham was the scene of joy and festivity on the occasion of the recognition of Isaac publicly as his heir. It is said in Jewish lore that Abraham c…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 21:22-34
Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. Wells of…
Abimelech's Covenant with Abraham. (b. c. 1892.)
ABIMELECH'S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM. (B. C. 1892.) We have here an account of the treaty between Abimelech and Abraham, in which appears the accomplishment of that promise (Genesis 12:2) that God would make his name great…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34
A covenant between the patriarch and the Philistine king. Abraham a sojourner in that land, afterwards the troubler of Israel; for his sake as discipline, for their sakes as opportunity. 1. God's care for those beyond t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:22
And it came to pass at that time,—possibly in immediate sequence to the incident of the preceding chapter, but, "according to the common law of Hebrew narrative, probably not long after the birth of Isaac." (Murphy)—tha…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34
Abimelech and Abraham, or ancient covenanters. I. THE POLITICAL ALLIANCE. 1. The contemplated object. Peace. What modern monarchs mostly desire at the close of exhausting campaigns is here sought before campaigns begin.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:23
Now therefore swear unto me here by God—the verb to swear is derived from the Hebrew numeral seven, inasmuch as the septennary number was sacred, and oaths were confirmed either by seven sacrifices (Genesis 21:28) or by…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:24
And Abraham said, I will swear. Only before concluding the agreement there was a matter of a more personal character that required settlement.
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:25
And Abraham reproved (literally, reasoned with, and proved to the satisfaction of) Abimelech (who was, until informed, entirely unacquainted with the action of his servants) because of a well of water, which Abimelech's…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:26
And Abimelech said, I wet not who hath done this thing. There is no reason to question the sincerity of the Philistine monarch in disclaiming all knowledge of the act of robbery committed by his servants. Neither didst…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:27
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech As the usual covenant presents (cf. 1 Kings 15:19; Isaiah 30:6; Isaiah 39:1). And both of them made a covenant. As already Mature, Aner, and Eshcol had forme…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:28-30
And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves (designing by another covenant to secure himself against future invasion of Isis rights). And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:31
Wherefore he called that place Beersheba. I.e. "the well of the oath," φρέαρ ὁρκισμοῦ (LXX; Gesenius, Furst, Rosenmüller), or the well of the seven (Keil), rather than the seven wells (Lange); discovered by Robinson…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 21:33-34
Observe, 1. Abraham, having got into a good neighbourhood, knew when he was well off, and continued a great while there. There he planted a grove for a shade to his tent, or perhaps an orchard of fruit-trees; and there,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:33
And Abraham planted—as a sign of his peaceful occupation of the soil (Calvin); as a memorial of the transaction about the well ('Speaker's Commentary'); or simply as a shade for his tent (Rosenmüller); scarcely as an or…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:34
And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days. The apparent contradiction between the statement of this verse and that of Genesis 21:32 may be removed by supposing either, HOMILETICS
Matthew Henry on Genesis 22:1-2
We never are secure from trials In Hebrew, to tempt, and to try, or to prove, are expressed by the same word. Every trial is indeed a temptation, and tends to show the dispositions of the heart, whether holy or unholy.…
Abraham Commanded to Offer Isaac. (b. c. 1872.)
ABRAHAM COMMANDED TO OFFER ISAAC. (B. C. 1872.) Here is the trial of Abraham's faith, whether it continued so strong, so vigorous, so victorious, after a long settlement in communion with God, as it was at first, when b…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 22:3-10
Never was any gold tried in so hot a fire. Who but Abraham would not have argued with God? Such would have been the thought of a weak heart; but Abraham knew that he had to do with a God, even Jehovah. Faith had taught…
Abraham's Obedience. (b. c. 1872.)
ABRAHAM'S OBEDIENCE. (B. C. 1872.) We have here Abraham's obedience to this severe command. Being tried, he offered up Isaac, Hebrews 11:17. Observe, I. The difficulties which he broke through in this act of obedience.…