Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. There was a famine] When this happened we cannot tell; it appears to have been after the death of Abraham. Concerning the first famine, see chap. xii. 10.
Abimelech] As we know not the time when the famine happened, so we cannot tell whether this was the same Abimelech, Phichol, &c., which are mentioned chap. xx. 1, 2, &c., or the sons or other descendants of these persons.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Isaac had been trained up in a believing dependence upon the Divin grant of the land of Canaan to him and his heirs; and now that there is a famine in the land, Isaac still cleaves to the covenant. The rea worth of God's promises cannot be lessened to a believer by any cros providences that may befall him. If God engage to be with us, and we are where he would have us to be, nothing but our own unbelief an distrust can prevent our comfort. The obedience of Abraham to the Divine command, was evidence of that faith, whereby, as a sinner, he was justified before God, and the effect of that love whereby tru faith works. God testifies that he approved this obedience, to encourage others, especially Isaac.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 רעב7458 בארץ776 מלבד905 הרעב7458 הראשׁון7223 אשׁר834 היה1961 בימי3117 אברהם85 וילך1980 יצחק3327 אל413 אבימלך40 מלך4428 פלשׁתים6430 גררה׃1642
