New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For the LORD had closed fast all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
(The LORD had made it impossible for any woman in Abimelech's household to have children because of Abraham's wife Sarah.) King James Bible
For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife. Jump to Previous Occurrence
Abimelech Abim'elech Abimelech's Abraham's Barren Children Closed Fast Females House Household Kept Restrained Restraining Sarah Tight Wife Womb Wombs Women Jump to Next Occurrence
Abimelech Abim'elech Abimelech's Abraham's Barren Children Closed Fast Females House Household Kept Restrained Restraining Sarah Tight Wife Womb Wombs Women Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary Verses 14-18 Here is, I. The kindness of a prince which Abimelech showed to Abraham. See how unjust Abraham's jealousies were. He fancied that if they knew that Sarah was his wife they would kill him; but, when they did know it, instead of killing him they were kind to him, frightened at least to be so by the divine rebukes they were under. 1. He gives him his royal licence to dwell where he pleased in his country, courting his stay because he gives him his royal gifts (v. 14), sheep and oxen, and (v. 16) a thousand pieces of silver. This he gave when he restored Sarah, either, [1.] By way of satisfaction for the wrong he had offered to do, in taking her to his house: when the Philistines restored the ark, being plagued for detaining it, they sent a present with it. The law appointed that when restitution was made something should be added to it, Lev. 6:5. Or, [2.] To engage Abraham's prayers for him; not as if prayers should be bought and sold, but we should endeavour to be kind to those of whose spiritual things we reap, 1 Co. 9:11. Note, It is our wisdom to get and keep an interest with those that have an interest in heaven, and to make those our friends who are the friends of God. [3.] He gives to Sarah good instruction, tells her that her husband (her brother he calls him, to upbraid her with calling him so) must be to her for a covering of the eyes, that is, she must look at no other, nor desire to be looked at by any other. Note, Yoke-fellows must be to each other for a covering of the eyes. The marriage-covenant is a covenant with the eyes, like Job's, ch. 31:1. II. The kindness of a prophet which Abraham showed to Abimelech: he prayed for him, v. 17, 18. This honour God would put upon Abraham that, though Abimelech had restored Sarah, yet the judgment he was under should be removed upon the prayer of Abraham, and not before. Thus God healed Miriam, when Moses, whom she had most affronted, prayed for her (Num. 12:13), and was reconciled to Job's friends when Job, whom they had grieved, prayed for them (Job 42:8-10), and so did, as it were, give it under his hand that he was reconciled to them. Note, The prayers of good men may be a kindness to great men, and ought to be valued. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Alphabetical: Abimelech Abimelech's Abraham's all because closed every fast for had household in LORD of Sarah the up wife womb wombs Bible Browser | 
