Could not that God who had brought him out from an ido- latrous country, and preserved Lot and Melchizedec in the midst of the most abandoned people, have some " hidden ones" in Gerar also ? Or, supposing that there were none who truly feared God, must they therefore be so impious as to murder him in order to possess his wife ? It is a fact, that many who are not truly religious, have as high a sense of honour, and as great an abhorrence of atrocious crimes, as any converted man can feel : and therefore the reproach which he so unjustifiably cast on them, returned deservedly upon his own head.
In what a disgraceful manner too was his wife restored to his hands ! How must he blush to be told, that he who should have been her protector, had been her tempter ; that, in fact, he had put a price upon her virtue ; and that, instead of being willing, as he ought to have been, to die in her defence, he had sacrificed her honour to his own groundless fears. It must not be forgotten, that Sarah was actually given up to Abime- lech, and that Abraham had forborne to claim her : so that he was answerable, not only for the consequences that did ensue, but for those also which, according to the common course of things, were to be expected.
Further, in what light must he appear to himself and all around him, when he was informed, that he had brought on Abhnelech and all his household some very severe judgments, and had actually exposed them all to instantaneous death ! What Abhnelech had done, " he had done in the integrity of his heart:" and, if he and all his family had died for it, Abraham would have been the sole author of their ruin.
We need add no more to the humiliating picture that has been exhibited. Methinks we see Abraham before our eyes ashamed to lift up his head, and with deepest penitence accepting the punishment of his iniquity.]
2. Much that was honourable to Abimelech —
[If we were to judge from this portion of sacred history, we should be ready to think that Abraham had been the hea- then, and Abimelech the prophet of the Lord. In the reproof this offended king administered, he was a most eminent pattern of moderation, of equity, and of virtue.
Considering what injury he had sustained, it is truly won- derful that he should express himself with such mildness and composure. The occasion would almost have justified the bitterest reproaches : and it might well be expected that Abimelech would cast reflections on his religion ; condemning that as worthless, or him as hypocritical. But not one re- proachful word escaped his lips. The only word that has at all that aspect, is the gentle sarcasm in his address to Sarah ; " I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver ;"