Verse 1. She had a handmaid, an Egyptian] As Hagar was an Egyptian, St. Chrysostom's conjecture is very probable. that she was one of those femaleslaves which Pharaoh gave to Abram when he sojourned in Egypt; see Genesis xii. 16. Her name rgh hagar signifies a stranger or sojourner, and it is likely she got this name in the family of Abram, as the word is pure Hebrew.
Verses 1-3 - Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abra 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. Unbeliefworked, God's almightypower was forgotten. It was bad example, and a source of manifold uneasiness. In every relation an 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 put us out of God's way. This would not be the case, if we would as counsel of God by his word and by prayer, before we attempt that whic is doubtful.
