Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. Abimelech rose early, &c.] God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and we find as the day broke he arose, assembled his servants, (what we would call his courtiers,) and communicated to them what he had received from God. They were all struck with astonishment, and discerned the hand of God in this business. Abraham is then called, and in a most respectful and pious manner the king expostulates with him for bringing him and his people under the Divine displeasure, by withholding from him the information that Sarah was his wife; when, by taking her, he sought only an honourable alliance with his family.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Crooked policy will not prosper: it brings ourselves and others int danger. God gives Abimelech notice of his danger of sin, and his dange of death for his sin. Every wilful sinner is a dead man, but Abimelec pleads ignorance. If our consciences witness, that, however we may have been cheated into a snare, we have not knowingly sinned against God, it will be our rejoicing in the day of evil. It is matter of comfort to those who are honest, that God knows their honesty, and wil acknowledge it. It is a great mercy to be hindered from committing sin of this God must have the glory. But if we have ignorantly done wrong that will not excuse us, if we knowingly persist in it. He that doe wrong, whoever he is, prince or peasant, shall certainly receive for the wrong which he has done, unless he repent, and, if possible, make restitution.
Original Hebrew וישׁכם7925 אבימלך40 בבקר1242 ויקרא7121 לכל3605 עבדיו5650 וידבר1696 את853 כל3605 הדברים1697 האלה428 באזניהם241 וייראו3372 האנשׁים376 מאד׃3966
