Genesis 20:14 - Meaning and Application

Here is, first, the kindness of a king that Abimelech showed to Abraham. This shows how misplaced Abraham’s fears were. He had thought that if the people knew Sarah was his wife, they would kill him. Instead, when they found out, they did not kill him. Rather, they treated him kindly, at least after the divine warning they were under.

Abimelech gave Abraham permission to live anywhere he wanted in his land. He wanted Abraham to stay, and he showed that by giving him royal gifts, sheep and oxen, and a thousand pieces of silver (Genesis 20:14, 16). He gave these when he gave Sarah back. This may have been a payment for the wrong he had almost done by taking her into his house. When the Philistines returned the ark, after being plagued for keeping it, they sent a gift with it. The law also said that when something was restored, more should be added to it (Leviticus 6:5).

Or, these gifts may have been meant to win Abraham’s prayers for him. That does not mean prayers can be bought and sold. It does mean we should try to be kind to those from whom we receive spiritual help (1 Corinthians 9:11). It is wise to gain and keep the friendship of people who have favor with God, and to make friends with those who are God’s friends.

Abimelech also gave Sarah a lesson. He told her that her husband, whom he sarcastically called her brother to shame her for the way she had spoken of him, was to be to her like a covering for the eyes. In other words, she was to look to no other man, and to want no other man to look at her. Married partners should be like that for each other, protecting one another in love and faithfulness. Marriage is a covenant that also guards the eyes, as Job said of himself (Job 31:1).

Second, here is the kindness of a prophet that Abraham showed to Abimelech. Abraham prayed for him (Genesis 20:17, 18). God chose to give Abraham this honor, even though Abimelech had already returned Sarah. The judgment on Abimelech’s house would be removed because of Abraham’s prayer, and not before.

God dealt the same way with Miriam, Moses’ sister, when Moses prayed for her after she had offended him (Numbers 12:13). He also restored Job’s friends after Job prayed for them, even though they had hurt Job deeply (Job 42:8-10). In that way, God showed that Job was reconciled to them. The prayers of good people may be a great kindness to important people, and they should be valued.