Free Bible Commentary
“Genesis 26:26-31”
Categories: Genesis“Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with his adviser Ahuzzath and Phicol the commander of his army. Isaac said to them, 'Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?' They said, 'We see plainly that the Lord has been with you; so we said, “Let there now be an oath between us, even between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you, that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.”' Then he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. In the morning they arose early and exchanged oaths; then Isaac sent them away and they departed from him in peace.”
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“Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with his adviser Ahuzzath and Phicol the commander of his army.” (verse 26) This event is reminiscent of the episode in Genesis chapter 21 between Abraham and Abimelech. “Now it came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do; now therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but according to the kindness that I have shown to you, you shall show to me and to the land in which you have sojourned.” (Genesis 21:22-23)
Since the current incident is several decades removed from the prior, it is highly likely that both Abimelechs and Phicols were different individuals, and there names were merely titles or family names handed down from previous generations. Abmilelech also brought along his “adviser Ahuzzath” when he sought out Isaac in pursuit of peace negotiations. The word “adviser” is “Hebrew mere'ehu, literally 'his friend.' The 'king's friend' belonged to one of the highest offices in the royal administration. It is devoid of emotional connotation and signifies that its bearer was a counselor to the king in matters of state. The king thus brought along his chief civilian and military officers.” (Nahum Sarna)
“Isaac said to them, 'Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?'” (verse 27) Caught off guard by this unexpected visit, Isaac unleashed an emotional response obviously prompted by the unpleasant memory of his objectionable expulsion from Gerar at the behest of the Philistine king. It is difficult to not take it personally when someone treats us unfavorably, and easier still to equate their desire for separation with hatred. But Abimelech's actions were likely not motivated by malice. In all likelihood he had been seeking out the best interests of his people, even though the pain from the way the shepherds of Gerar had abused Isaac over the wells he had dug no doubt still lingered in his mind. “They envied his prosperity, and hated him on that account, and therefore expelled him their country, or at least would not suffer him to dwell among them; and still more glaring proofs were given of the hatred of the men of Gerar to him, not only by stopping up his father's wells, but by striving and contending with him about those he dug in the valley after he was gone from them; one of which he called 'Sitnah', from their hatred of him.” (Gill's Exposition of the entire Bible)
“We see plainly that the Lord has been with you...” (verse 28) We must give credit to whom it is due. Even this heathen king recognized that God Almighty continually prospered Isaac, even in the face of continued adversity from natural disasters such as famine, and human hostilities in the case of the shepherds of Gerar. He clearly recognized the wisdom and benefits of being on the good side of one so greatly favored by God. If the Lord loved Isaac so very much it was a no-brainer that he should seek out the friendship with the friend of God! Abimelech knew his kingdom would never be in a position of strength if he allowed himself to be on bad terms with someone so greatly favored by the Lord! “Let there now be an oath between us, even between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you.” The king sought from Isaac an oath and a covenant that there would be peace between the two of them.
“That you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace.” (verse 29) Isaac was now the greater and stronger of the two and Abilemech wanted a non-aggression pact with “The blessed of the Lord,” as the previous Abimelech had reached with Abraham. He reminded Isaac that he had done him no harm when He had asked him to leave his borders, and that he had actually sent him away in peace. “You are now the blessed of the Lord.” “Regarded by some as an instance of adroit and pious flattery, these words are perhaps better understood as explaining either why Isaac should overlook the injuries which they had done to him (Calvin, Bush), or why he should grant them the oath which they desired (Ainsworth), - he requiring no guarantee of safety from them, since Jehovah was on his side (Murphy), - or why they had been stirred up to seek his favor and alliance (Rosenmüller).” (Pulpit Commentary)
“In the morning they arose early and exchanged oaths; then Isaac sent them away and they departed from him in peace.” (verse 30) “Isaac's sending them away, although expressed similarly, was a far different thing to Abimelech II's sending Isaac away, mentioned earlier. This was 'in peace' and was no doubt accompanied by all of the formal expressions of peace and good will which the occasion demanded. Such a progression of events must have been supremely satisfying to Isaac. Under pressure, and perhaps even fear, he moved to Beersheba. God appeared to him in a comforting and encouraging vision that same night. Then Abimelech II unexpectedly visited him, requesting a treaty of peace. The treaty was celebrated with a great feast. The king departed in peace.” (James Burton Coffman)
Please read Genesis 26:32-35 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
