22 One day King Avimelek and Pikol, the commander of his army,[ref] spoke to Avraham, saying, “We can see that God is with you in everything you do. 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,” Avraham replied.

25 But Avraham complained to Avimelek about a well of water that had been taken over by Avimelek’s slaves. 26 “I don’t know who did that,” Avimelek responded, “and you hadn’t told me about it, so I’ve only just heard about it today.” 27 Then Avraham gave some sheep and cattle to Avimelek 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,” Avimelek asked.

30 “Because I want you to take them,” Avraham 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 ‘Be’er-Sheva’ (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 Be’er-Sheva, then Avimelek and Pikol, the commander of his army, got up and returned home to the Pelishti region. 33 Then Avraham planted a tamarisk tree there at Be’er-Sheva, and he prayed to Yahweh, the god of eternity. 34 Then Avraham continued his stay in the Pelishti region for quite some time.