Abimelech (2)

2. ABIMELECH, King of Gerar, and son to him of whom we have been just now speakingp. This Prince having one day seen Isaac sporting with his Wife Rebekah, whom he called his Sister, Abimelech order’d him to be sent for, and said to him, It is visible that this woman is your Wife, why then do you say she is your Sister? Isaac answer’d, because, I said, lest I die for Genes. xxvi. 1, 2, &c. In the Year of the World 2200, before J. C. 1800. before the vulgar Æra 1807.her. Whereupon Abimelech publish’d this Declaration, He that toucheth this Man or his Wife shall surely be put to death. Now as Isaac grew extremely rich and powerful, his Posterity stirr’d up the envy of the Philistines; and Abimelech said to him, Go from us, for thou art much mightier than we. Hereupon Isaac immediately retired into the valley of Gerar, and afterwards to Beersheba, where Abimelech some time after came to visit him, in order to make an Alliance with him: In his company were Abuzzath, his Favourite, and Phicol, the Commander in chief of his Army. Isaac when he received them said, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you? To which Abimelech replied, that he had observed how much he was favour’d by God, and was therefore come to make a Covenant with him. Upon this Isaac entertained them splendidly, and the next day made a Treaty with them; after which they returned in Peace to their own home. This happened about the year 2200, before Jesus Christ 1800, before the vulgar Æra 1804.

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