Genesis — Chapter 20

King James Version (KJV)

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Genesis 20:1 And Abraham journeyed ^Rfrom thence toward the south country, and dwelled between ^RKadesh and Shur, and sojourned in ^RGerar.

Genesis 20:2 And Abraham ^Rsaid of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and ^RAbimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in ^Ra dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but ^Ra dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is ^Ta man’s wife.

Genesis 20:4 But Abimelech ^Rhad not come near her: and he said, Lord, ^Rwilt thou slay also a righteous nation?

Genesis 20:5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: ^Rin the ^Tintegrity of my heart ^Rand innocency of my hands have I done this.

Genesis 20:6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also ^Rwithheld thee from ^Rsinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not ^Rto touch her.

Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is ^Ra prophet, and he shall ^Rpray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt ^Rsurely die, thou, and ^Rall that are thine.

Genesis 20:8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

Genesis 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, ^RWhat hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom ^Ra great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ^Rought not to be done.

Genesis 20:10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?

Genesis 20:11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, ^RSurely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will ^Rslay me for my wife’s sake.

Genesis 20:12 ^RAnd yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

Genesis 20:13 And it came to pass, when ^RGod caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, ^RThis is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; At every place whither we shall come, ^Rsay of me, He is my brother.

Genesis 20:14 And Abimelech ^Rtook sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and ^Rrestored him Sarah his wife.

Genesis 20:15 And Abimelech said, Behold, ^Rmy land is before thee: dwell ^Twhere it pleaseth thee.

Genesis 20:16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given ^Rthy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee ^Ra covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: ^Rthus she was reproved.

Genesis 20:17 ^RSo Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

Genesis 20:18 ^RFor the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 20:1–7 — God Warns Abimelech

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Abraham sojourns in Gerar and says that Sarah is his sister. Abimelech takes Sarah, but God warns him in a dream that she is a married woman. Abimelech has not touched her, and God commands him to restore her to Abraham.

Key Truth: God intervenes to protect Sarah and warns Abimelech before he sins against Him.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 20:8–13 — Abimelech Confronts Abraham

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Abimelech tells his servants what happened and confronts Abraham. Abraham explains that he feared for his life and states the family relationship between himself and Sarah.

Key Truth: Abraham’s fear led him to a course of action that endangered others and required explanation and correction.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 20:14–18 — Sarah Restored

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Abimelech restores Sarah to Abraham and gives Abraham livestock and servants. Abraham prays to God, and God heals Abimelech’s household after the LORD had closed the wombs of the women because of Sarah.

Key Truth: Sarah is restored, Abraham prays, and God removes the judgment from Abimelech’s household.

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