Abraham had been dwelling in the Plain of Mamre (Genesis 18:1), which is Hebron (Genesis 13:18), ever since he and Lot had separated. He remained there for over 14 years, and we know this, because Ishmael, who was not yet born, was 13 years old, when he was circumcised in the Plain of Mamre (cp. Genesis 17:25). So, why did Abraham remain in Hebron for over fourteen years, before suddenly picking up stakes and heading southward toward Gerar (Genesis 20:1)? The text doesn’t tell us why, but perhaps Abraham was hoping for a reconciliation with Lot. It didn’t occur, when Lot was taken captive by Chedorlaomer of Mesopotamia, and Abraham risked his own life to rescue his nephew (Genesis 14:12-16). Similarly, it didn’t occur, after the Lord rescued him at Abraham’s request from the judgment, the Lord planned to decree against Sodom and the cities of the plain.
It may be that, when Abraham realized a reconciliation would never occur, he decided to move on with his own life and let Lot live in the obstinate choice, he had made. We may mourn over the bad choices our righteous brethren make, but we cannot keep them from living, as they desire. Such a thing may have been Lot’s way to live, vis-à-vis by rule of law, but it wasn’t Abraham’s manner.
After arriving in Gerar, Abraham was approached by men sent by Abimelech, the king of Gerar, meaning king of the Philistines (cp. Genesis 26:1). They probably wished to be assured that he wasn’t a threat to their welfare. While assuring them of his peaceful presence, he mentioned that Sarah, his wife, was actually his sister (Genesis 20:2). Therefore, when Abimelech was told of Sarah’s beauty and her status, as Abraham’s sister, he sent and took her for his wife.
Nevertheless, the Lord wasn’t pleased with how events transpired between Abimelech and Abraham. So, he, the God of gods, appeared to Abimelech (the god of Gerar) in a dream during the night. The Lord told Abimelech that he was as good as dead, because Sarah, whom Abimelech had taken for himself, was actually the wife of Abraham (Genesis 20:3). However, Abimelech hadn’t come near Sarah (Genesis 20:4; cp. Genesis 12:15-18 and Esther 2:12). In the dream, Abimelech protested, asking the Lord, if he would destroy a righteous nation, knowing Abraham had claimed Sarah was his sister, not his wife. So, Abimelech claimed ignorance of wrongdoing (Genesis 20:4-5).
We need to understand the context of what’s going on here. First of all, God dealt with men according to the Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:9-11; cp. verse-6). Secondly, men in authority were considered gods (cp. Psalm 82:1-8). Men were to govern other men and establish justice/righteousness in their land. Those in authority over other men were called gods, and the supreme god of the land was the king, and the Lord was the God of gods and judged the authorities/gods accordingly (Psalm 82:1). Moreover, the heads of state were considered the sons or children of God (Psalm 82:6). Therefore, in a dream, the Lord appeared to Abimelech and rebuked him for his behavior toward Abraham, another god (according to Psalm 82), who was the leader of a nation yet to be.
So, in response, the Lord agreed that Abimelech did this thing in ignorance, and for this reason, the Lord kept him from touching Sarah. However, Abimelech needed to restore Sarah to Abraham, because he is a prophet of God, and through his prayers, and only through his prayers, would Abimelech be healed and live. Moreover, not only his life hangs in the balance, but the life of his entire nation (Genesis 20:6-7). Therefore, Abimelech rose up early in the morning and called all his servants before him, and he told them about the dream he had. And, the fear of God swept throughout the whole land (Genesis 20:8).
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