22 One day King Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “We can see that God is with you in everything you do. [ref] 23 So then, swear to me here by God that you won’t treat me or my children or my descendants badly, and that’ll you’ll be kind to this country just as I showed kindness to you.”

24 “I swear it,” Abraham replied.

25 But Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water that had been taken over by Abimelech’s slaves. 26 “I don’t know who did that,” Abimelech responded, “and you hadn’t told me about it, so I’ve only just heard about it today.” 27 Then Abraham gave some sheep and cattle to Abimelech to confirm their agreement together, 28 and then he separated seven female lambs from the rest of the flock. 29 “Why did you pen those seven lambs,” Abimelech asked.

30 “Because I want you to take them,” Abraham insisted. “I want them to be the verification that it was me who dug this well.” 31 So that’s why the place was named ‘Beersheba’ (which means ‘Well of the seven’ or ‘Well of the oath’), because that’s where the two of them made their agreement.

32 So the agreement was made at Beersheba, then Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, got up and returned home to the Philistine region. 33 Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree there at Beersheba, and he prayed to Yahweh, the God of eternity. 34 Then Abraham continued his stay in the Philistine region for quite some time.