Genesis Chapter 20 — Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech | In His Image - Genesis Bible Study
Introduction
Genesis 20 records Abraham's encounter with Abimelech, king of Gerar. After leaving the region of Mamre, Abraham journeys toward the south and settles temporarily in Gerar. Once again, Abraham identifies Sarah as his sister, and Abimelech takes Sarah into his household.
This episode resembles Genesis 12, when Abraham used the same strategy concerning Sarah in Egypt. The repetition is significant. Abraham had walked with God, received covenant promises, witnessed God's power, and interceded for Sodom—yet he still struggled with an old fear.
But Genesis 20 is about more than Abraham's failure. The chapter demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant promise despite human weakness.
Sarah was the woman through whom the promised son, Isaac, was to be born. Genesis 18:10 had already declared that Sarah would bear Abraham a son. Therefore, God intervened before Abimelech could touch her.
The promised seed could not be compromised.
Genesis 20 consequently brings together several important themes: fear, deception, divine protection, prophetic identity, intercession, correction, restoration, and covenant faithfulness.
“She is my sister.” — Genesis 20:2 KJV
“She is my sister.” — Genesis 20:2 KJV
Abraham had previously used a similar strategy in Egypt in Genesis 12. Although Sarah was indeed Abraham's half-sister according to Genesis 20:12, Abraham withheld the crucial truth that she was also his wife.
God intervened before Abimelech touched Sarah. He appeared to Abimelech in a dream and warned him:
“Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.” — Genesis 20:3 KJV
Abimelech protested that he had acted in the integrity of his heart, and God acknowledged this, explaining that He had restrained Abimelech from sinning against Him.
God commanded Abimelech to restore Sarah to Abraham and identified Abraham as “a prophet”—the first explicit use of the word prophet in the KJV biblical text. Abraham would pray for Abimelech, and God would heal his household.
The chapter is especially significant because Sarah is standing on the threshold of the promised conception and birth of Isaac in Genesis 21. God protects Sarah and preserves the integrity of the promised line despite Abraham's failure of faith.
Genesis Chapter 20
Genesis 20:2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
Genesis 20:4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
Genesis 20:5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
Genesis 20:6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
Genesis 20:8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
Genesis 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
Genesis 20:10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
Genesis 20:11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
Genesis 20:12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
Genesis 20:13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
Genesis 20:14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
Genesis 20:15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
Genesis 20:16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
Genesis 20:18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
(KJV)
Observation Questions
Where did Abraham journey and dwell according to Genesis 20:1?
What did Abraham say concerning Sarah, and what did Abimelech consequently do?
How did God warn Abimelech concerning Sarah?
According to Genesis 20:6, what did God say He had prevented Abimelech from doing?
What reason did Abraham give for saying, “She is my sister”?
What happened after Abraham prayed for Abimelech and his household?
Reflection Questions
Abraham had previously made a similar decision concerning Sarah in Egypt. What does this teach you about fears or weaknesses that are not fully dealt with?
Abraham assumed, “Surely the fear of God is not in this place.” What does this teach us about judging people or situations before knowing all the facts?
How does God's intervention on Sarah's behalf demonstrate His faithfulness even when His people make poor decisions?
God told Abimelech, “I also withheld thee from sinning against me.” What does this reveal about God's ability to intervene and prevent circumstances from going further?
How would you respond if God required you to pray for someone whom your own actions had placed in a difficult situation?
What does Genesis 20 teach you about trusting God when fear makes deception or human strategy appear safer than obedience?
Practical Application
Genesis 20 teaches us that spiritual maturity does not mean we can never repeat an old mistake. Abraham had walked with God, received covenant promises, encountered the LORD, interceded for Sodom, and witnessed remarkable acts of God—yet fear still influenced his decision in Gerar.
This is an important warning. Yesterday's victory does not remove today's need to trust God. Areas of fear that remain unaddressed can influence our decisions again.
Abraham also made an assumption about Gerar:
“Surely the fear of God is not in this place.” — Genesis 20:11
Yet Abimelech demonstrated concern when God confronted him. We should therefore be careful about determining another person's spiritual condition based solely upon our assumptions.
The chapter also reveals something powerful about God's protection of His promise. Sarah was about to conceive Isaac, the son God had promised. Abraham's actions placed the situation in danger, but God's covenant purpose did not depend upon Abraham's flawless performance. God intervened and returned Sarah to Abraham before Abimelech touched her.
This does not excuse Abraham's deception. Rather, it magnifies God's faithfulness.
Finally, Abraham—the man whose actions helped create the problem—was commanded to pray for Abimelech. God healed Abimelech's household after Abraham prayed. This reminds us that God can still use an imperfect servant who responds to correction.
Key Truth
Genesis 20 reveals the danger of allowing fear to govern our decisions, while demonstrating God's sovereign ability to protect His promise. Abraham failed, Abimelech was warned, Sarah was protected, and God's covenant purpose continued toward the promised birth of Isaac in Genesis 21
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