Matthew Henry on Genesis 26:6-11
Isaac had now laid aside all thoughts of going to Egypt, and, in obedience to the heavenly vision, sets up his staff in Gerar, the country in which he was born (Gen 26:6), yet there he enters into temptation, the same temptation that his good father had been once and again surprised and overcome by, namely, to deny his wife, and to give out that she was his sister. Observe,
I. How he sinned, Gen 26:7. Because his wife was handsome, he fancied the Philistines would find some way or other to take him off, that some of them might marry her; and therefore she must pass for his sister. It is an unaccountable thing that both these great and good men should be guilty of so strange a piece of dissim…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on Genesis 26:8
Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife - Whatever may be the precise meaning of the word, it evidently implies that there were liberties taken and freedom used on the occasion, which were not lawful but between man and wife.
John Gill on Genesis 26:9
And Abimelech called Isaac,.... Sent a messenger to desire him to come to him:
and said, behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and then perhaps told him of what he had observed that passed between them; which was a clear proof that they must be man and wife, or he would never have took such liberties with her:
and how saidst thou, she is my sister? what reason hadst thou for it? what could induce thee to say so?
and Isaac said unto him; not alleging, as Abraham did, any relation that was between them before marriage:
because I said; that is, within himself, for, he did not speak it out to others:
lest I die for her; for her sake, that another might have and enjoy her; it was fear of losi…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Calvin on Genesis 26:8-9
Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out at a window. Truly admirable is the kind forbearance of God, in not only condescending to pardon the twofold fault of his servant, but in stretching forth his hand, and in wonderfully averting, by the application of a speedy remedy, the evil which he would have brought upon himself. God did not suffer -- what twice had occurred to Abraham -- that his wife should be torn from his bosom; but stirred up a heathen king, mildly, and without occasioning him any trouble, to correct his folly. But although God sets before us such an example of his kindness, that the faithful, if at any time they may have fallen, may confidently hope to find him gentle a…
