161 Now Sarai , Abram's wife had borne him no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar . 2 So Sarai said to Abram , "Now behold , the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid ; perhaps I will obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai . 3 After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan , Abram's wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian , her maid , and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife .
4 He went in to Hagar , and she conceived ; and when she saw that she had conceived , her mistress was despised in her sight . 5 And Sarai said to Abram , " May the wrong done me be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms , but when she saw that she had conceived , I was despised in her sight . May the Lord judge between you and me." 6 But Abram said to Sarai , "Behold , your maid is in your power ; do to her what is good in your sight ." So Sarai treated her harshly , and she fled from her presence .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 16:1-6
Commentary on Genesis 16:1-3
(Read Genesis 16:1-3)
Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abram to take another wife, whose children she might; her slave, whose children would be her property. This was done without asking counsel of the Lord. Unbelief worked, God's almighty power was forgotten. It was a bad example, and a source of manifold uneasiness. In every relation and situation in life there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of faith consists in patiently submitting, in waiting the Lord's time, and using only those means which he appoints for the removal of the cross. Foul temptations may have very fair pretences, and be coloured with that which is very plausible. Fleshly wisdom puts us out of God's way. This would not be the case, if we would ask counsel of God by his word and by prayer, before we attempt that which is doubtful.
Commentary on Genesis 16:4-6
(Read Genesis 16:4-6)
Abram's unhappy marriage to Hagar very soon made a great deal of mischief. We may thank ourselves for the guilt and grief that follow us, when we go out of the way of our duty. See it in this case, Passionate people often quarrel with others, for things of which they themselves must bear the blame. Sarai had given her maid to Abram, yet she cries out, My wrong be upon thee. That is never said wisely, which pride and anger put into our mouths. Those are not always in the right, who are most loud and forward in appealing to God: such rash and bold imprecations commonly speak guilt and a bad cause. Hagar forgot that she herself had first given the provocation, by despising her mistress. Those that suffer for their faults, ought to bear it patiently, 1 Peter 2:20.