23 And Abraham draweth nigh and saith, 'Dost Thou also consume righteous with wicked? 24 peradventure there are fifty righteous in the midst of the city; dost Thou also consume, and not bear with the place for the sake of the fifty—the righteous who 'are' in its midst? 25 Far be it from Thee to do according to this thing, to put to death the righteous with the wicked; that it hath been—as the righteous so the wicked—far be it from Thee; doth the Judge of all the earth not do justice?' 26 And Jehovah saith, 'If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then have I borne with all the place for their sake.' 27 And Abraham answereth and saith, 'Lo, I pray thee, I have willed to speak unto the Lord, and I—dust and ashes; 28 peradventure there are lacking five of the fifty righteous—dost Thou destroy for five the whole of the city?' and He saith, 'I destroy 'it' not, if I find there forty and five.' 29 And he addeth again to speak unto Him and saith, 'Peradventure there are found there forty?' and He saith, 'I do 'it' not, because of the forty.' 30 And he saith, 'Let it not be, I Pray thee, displeasing to the Lord, and I speak: peradventure there are found there thirty?' and He saith, 'I do 'it' not, if I find there thirty.' 31 And he saith, 'Lo, I pray thee, I have willed to speak unto the Lord: peradventure there are found there twenty?' and He saith, 'I do not destroy 'it', because of the twenty.' 32 And he saith, 'Let it not be, I pray Thee, displeasing to the Lord, and I speak only this time: peradventure there are found there ten?' and He saith, 'I do not destroy 'it', because of the ten.' 33 And Jehovah goeth on, when He hath finished speaking unto Abraham, and Abraham hath turned back to his place.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 18:23-33
Commentary on Genesis 18:23-33
(Read Genesis 18:23-33)
Here is the first solemn prayer upon record in the Bible; and it is a prayer for the sparing of Sodom. Abraham prayed earnestly that Sodom might be spared, if but a few righteous persons should be found in it. Come and learn from Abraham what compassion we should feel for sinners, and how earnestly we should pray for them. We see here that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Abraham, indeed, failed in his request for the whole place, but Lot was miraculously delivered. Be encouraged then to expect, by earnest prayer, the blessing of God upon your families, your friends, your neighbourhood. To this end you must not only pray, but you must live like Abraham. He knew the Judge of all the earth would do right. He does not plead that the wicked may be spared for their own sake, or because it would be severe to destroy them, but for the sake of the righteous who might be found among them. And righteousness only can be made a plea before God. How then did Christ make intercession for transgressors? Not by blaming the Divine law, nor by alleging aught in extenuation or excuse of human guilt; but by pleading HIS OWN obedience unto death.