Genesis 20

Genesis 20 provides an account of Abraham's sojourn in Gerar. In this chapter:

• Abraham moves to the region of Gerar, where he tells people that his wife Sarah is his sister (similar to his earlier deception in Egypt).

• King Abimelech of Gerar takes Sarah into his harem, not knowing she is already married.

• God appears to Abimelech in a dream, warning him that Sarah is a married woman and that he is as good as dead for taking her.

• Abimelech, who had not yet approached Sarah, protests his innocence to God, saying he acted with a clear conscience since Abraham claimed she was his sister.

• God acknowledges Abimelech's innocence but instructs him to return Sarah to Abraham, who is a prophet who will pray for him.

• Abimelech confronts Abraham about the deception. Abraham explains he feared for his life because he thought there was no fear of God in Gerar — and technically Sarah is his half-sister.

• Abimelech gives Abraham livestock, servants, and silver as compensation, and he invites him to dwell wherever he pleases in his land.

• Abraham prays to God, and God heals Abimelech, his wife, and female servants so they can bear children again (God had closed all the wombs in Abimelech's household because of Sarah).