Genesis 26:1
At another time, there was no rain and no food plants growing in the country where Isaac and Rebekah lived. It was like the time when there was no rain a long time before, while Abraham was still alive. So Isaac and his family left that country, and they went to the town called Gerar, in Philistia country. The big boss of the Philistia people was called Abimelek, and he lived in that town.
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Genesis 12:10At that time, there was no rain and no food plants growing in that country. Nobody had enough food, so Abram and everyone with him went south to live in another country, called Egypt.
Genesis 21:22One day, Abimelek went to talk to Abraham. Abimelek was the big boss of the country where Abraham lived. And Ficol, the leader of Abimelek’s army, went with him. Abimelek said to Abraham, “You know, you are not one of my people. You came from another place to live here in my country. But I have been good to you, and to all your people. So I want you to promise me that you will never try to trick me, or my kids, or anyone that is born into my family. I want you to promise that you will be good to them. We know that God is very good to you, and he helps you with everything you do. So I want you to make that promise to me while God is listening. I want you to tell God to punish you if you break that promise.”
Matthew Henry on Genesis 26:1
In this chapter we have, I. Isaac in adversity, by reason of a famine in the land, which, 1. Obliges him to change his quarters, ver. 1 . But, 2. God visits him with direction and comfort, ver. 2-5 . 3. He foolishly denies his wife, being in distress and is reproved for it by Abimelech, ver. 6-11 . II. Isaac in prosperity, by the blessing of God upon him, ver. 12-14 . And, 1. The Philistines were envious at him, ver. 14-17 . 2. He continued industrious in his business, ver. 18-23 . 3. God appeared to him, and… Read the whole commentary →