Genesis 20:4

4. Had not come near her He and his house had apparently been smitten with some judgment (Genesis 20:6; Genesis 20:18) which restrained him from Sarah, and hindered his wife and maidservants from conception . From which it would seem that Sarah was removed some time from Abraham .

Also a righteous nation There seems to be in these words an allusion to the destruction of the Sodomites. The fame of that fearful judgment had probably spread through all the adjacent lands, and made a profound impression; and now, when God speaks in a dream to this king, Abimelech asks, in amazement, if his people are in danger of a judgment like those wicked sinners. In his emotion his language rises almost to a poetic strain:

O Lord, a nation also righteous wilt thou slay?

Did not he say to me,

My sister is she?

And she, she also, said,

My brother is he .

In the integrity of my heart,

And in the innocency of my hands,

Have I done this .

In this king we may recognise an exceptional example of heathen uprightness. His ideas of righteousness, integrity, and innocence do not forbid polygamy, so that he has no compunction in adding Sarah to his harem. But he pleads sincerity and personal honour. Though lamentably low, he is far above the moral level of the Sodomites; and yet he needs the prayers and help of Abraham, who himself is far from the highest idea of innocence. Behold here the necessity of divine revelation. Without the word of the Lord, how could simple man come to know righteousness, or integrity, or purity?