“But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?”
This verse is part of the narrative in Genesis that tells the story of Abraham’s encounter with Abimelech, the king of Gerar. Abraham, who was traveling with his wife Sarah, presented her as his sister out of fear that the people of Gerar would kill him in order to take her, as she was a beautiful woman.
Abimelech, unaware that Sarah was actually Abraham’s wife, took her into his household. However, before he could approach her sexually, God appeared to him in a dream and warned him about the consequences of taking another man’s wife. Abimelech, in response to this warning, pleads with the Lord in the verse you mentioned, expressing his innocence and concern for the nation he rules over.
From this verse, we can observe a few important aspects:
- Abimelech’s righteousness: Despite unknowingly taking another man’s wife, Abimelech is described as a righteous individual. This implies that he was a man of integrity who desired to do what was right according to his understanding of morality.
- Abimelech’s concern for his people: Abimelech’s plea to the Lord reveals his concern for the well-being of his nation. He questions whether God would destroy an entire righteous nation due to his actions. This indicates a sense of responsibility and care for his subjects.
- The sovereignty of God: The situation emphasizes God’s authority and control over human affairs. God intervened in Abimelech’s dream to prevent him from committing a sinful act. This highlights God’s ability to communicate with individuals and guide them according to His divine plan.
Overall, this verse reminds us of God’s sovereignty and His ability to work through imperfect situations to accomplish His purposes. It also serves as a testament to Abimelech’s righteousness and concern for his people, even though he unknowingly found himself in a morally compromised situation.
