The Covenant between Abraham and Abimelech

22 And it cometh to pass at that time that Abimelech speaketh—Phichol also, head of his host—unto Abraham, saying, 'God 'is' with thee in all that thou art doing; 23 and now, swear to me by God here: thou dost not lie to me, or to my continuator, or to my successor; according to the kindness which I have done with thee thou dost with me, and with the land in which thou hast sojourned.' 24 And Abraham saith, 'I—I do swear.' 25 And Abraham reasoned with Abimelech concerning the matter of a well of water which Abimelech's servants have taken violently away, 26 and Abimelech saith, 'I have not known who hath done this thing, and even thou didst not declare to me, and I also, I have not heard save to-day.' 27 And Abraham taketh sheep and oxen, and giveth to Abimelech, and they make, both of them, a covenant; 28 and Abraham setteth seven Lambs of the flock by themselves. 29 And Abimelech saith unto Abraham, 'What 'are' they—these seven lambs which thou hast set by themselves?' 30 And he saith, 'For—the seven lambs thou dost accept from my hand, so that it becometh a witness for me that I have digged this well;' 31 therefore hath he called that place 'Beer-Sheba,' for there have both of them sworn. 32 And they make a covenant in Beer-Sheba, and Abimelech riseth—Phichol also, head of his host—and they turn back unto the land of the Philistines;

33 and 'Abraham' planteth a tamarask in Beer-Sheba, and preacheth there in the name of Jehovah, God age-during; 34 and Abraham sojourneth in the land of the Philistines many days.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34

Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34

(Read Genesis 21:22-34)

Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. Abraham took care to have his title to the well allowed, to prevent disputes in future. No more can be expected from an honest man than that he be ready to do right, as soon as he knows he has done wrong. Abraham, being now in a good neighbourhood, stayed a great while there. There he made, not only a constant practice, but an open profession of his religion. There he called on the name of the Lord, as the everlasting God; probably in the grove he planted, which was his place of prayer. Abraham kept up public worship, in which his neighbours might join. Good men should do all they can to make others so. Wherever we sojourn, we must neither neglect nor be ashamed of the worship of Jehovah.