After the smoke of judgment had lifted and silence fell upon the scorched plains, Abraham journeyed southward from the Negev, seeking peace between Kadesh and Shur, and made his dwelling in the city of Gerar.
He pitched his tent in this city, where the air was thick with trade, mystery, and unfamiliar faces. The people were strangers, and the customs unknown. Fearing for his life, Abraham clung to an old strategy.
"She is my sister," he told the people when they asked about Sarah.
Sarah—ageless in beauty even now—was soon noticed by the eyes of power. Word reached Abimelech, the king of Gerar, and, desiring her, he summoned her to his palace. That night, as silence cloaked the city and even the torches burned low, the King lay in slumber, unaware that the Divine was drawing near.
In his dream, a voice thundered—not cruel, but commanding.
"You are as good as dead, Abimelech. The woman you have taken is married."
The king awoke in a sweat, gasping for breath. But he had not touched her. He raised his voice into the darkness of the dreamscape, pleading.
"Lord! Will you destroy a nation that is innocent? He told me she was his sister. She said the same. I have done this with a pure heart, with clean hands!"
The voice of the LORD softened but remained firm.
"Yes, I know you acted innocently. That is why I restrained you from sinning against Me. I did not let you touch her. But now return her to her husband—he is a prophet. He will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not… know this: you and your entire household will surely die."
Morning broke, golden and hot. The king summoned his officials and recounted everything. Fear spread like wildfire—God Himself had intervened.
Abimelech wasted no time. Abraham was summoned, and the king's voice trembled with restrained fury.
"What have you done to us? What sin did I commit that you would bring such guilt upon me and my people? This is not how strangers treat strangers."
Abraham, weary and guarded, spoke with calm resolve.
"I thought there was no fear of God in this land. I feared you would kill me because of Sarah. And yes—she is my sister. We share a father, though not a mother. But she is also my wife. And when God led me away from my father's house, I asked her to do this for me: to say wherever we go, 'He is my brother.'"
Understanding, though mixed with disbelief, crossed the king's face. Without another word, he ordered gifts—sheep, cattle, male and female servants. He returned Sarah to Abraham.
"My land is open to you," Abimelech said. "Dwell wherever you please."
To Sarah, he turned and added solemnly, "Here are a thousand shekels of silver. This is your vindication before all. You have done no wrong."
Later that day, Abraham lifted his hands and prayed for the king. And the curse was lifted. Every womb in Abimelech's household, which the LORD had closed because of Sarah, was healed. Life returned to Gerar.
But the lesson remained: the plans of man may be hidden from other men, but never from God.