The pact with Abimelech

Students

22 It happened at that time that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, ‘God is with you in all you do. 23 Now therefore take an oath to me here by God that you will not be false to me, nor to my son nor to my descendants; but that you will treat me and the land you have stayed in according to the kindness which I have shown you.’ 24 Abraham said, ‘I swear it.’

25 Now as often as Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized, 26 Abimelech said, ‘I do not know who has done this thing, neither have you told me nor have I heard of it until today.’ 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and made an agreement with each other. 28 But when Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves, 29 Abimelech said to Abraham, ‘What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?’ 30 Abraham answered, ‘Accept these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that you may be my witness that I dug this well.’ 31 The place was called Beer-sheba, because it was there they swore their oath. 32 So they made a solemn agreement at Beer-sheba, and Abimelech arose with Phicol the captain of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham, however, planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. 34 Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.