Abraham’s Intercessory Prayer for Abimelech

Genesis 20:17-18 gives us another example of Abraham’s prayer life.

This passage records the intercessory prayer Abraham offered on behalf of Abimelech.

Genesis 20:1-2 records Abraham’s half-lie to Abimelech, saying that Sarah was his sister, which was true, but a half-sister.

Abraham failed to tell Abimelech that Sarah was also his wife because he was afraid that Abimelech would kill him in order to secure Sarah for himself.

This half-lie endangered both Sarah and Abimelech.

Although not mentioned in the passage, Satan is the invisible enemy of God’s people, who was behind the scenes influencing Abraham and tempting him to enter into fear, worry, and anxiety.

Satan’s purpose for doing this was so he could prevent the birth of Christ by preventing the birth of Isaac, Abraham’s future son, who was to be in the line of Christ.

Genesis 20:1 Now Abraham journeyed from there [oaks of Mamre in Hebron; see Genesis 18:1] toward the land of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur; then he sojourned in Gerar. 2 Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. (NASB95)

Then we see, in verses 3-7, God intervened by speaking to Abimelech in a dream and prohibiting him from keeping Sarah in his harem and, thus, having sexual intercourse with her.

Consequently, this thwarted Satan’s attempt to prevent the birth of Isaac.

Ultimately, Jesus Christ would come from the line of Isaac.

Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.” 4 Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a nation, even though blameless?” 5 Did he not himself say to me, “She is my sister”? And she herself said, “He is my brother.” In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this. 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.” 7 Now therefore, restore the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” (NASB95)

Then in Genesis 20:14-16, we have the record of Abimelech compensating Abraham and Sarah.

Abimelech was motivated to do this for fear of God killing him.

Genesis 20:14 Abimelech then took sheep and oxen and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored his wife Sarah to him. 15 Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; settle wherever you please.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; behold, it is your vindication before all who are with you, and before all men you are cleared.” (NASB95)

Genesis 20:17-18 presents the record of Abraham interceding in prayer for Abimelech.

We see that Abraham’s prayer certainly did its part in healing Abimelech and his household.

God heard Abraham’s intercessory prayer and answered it.

Genesis 20:17 Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children. 18 For the LORD had closed fast all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. (NASB95)

“Prayed” is the verb palal and refers to “intercessory prayer,” which includes both the temporal and spiritual needs of believers and unbelievers (Luke 23:34; Eph 1:16-23; 3:14-19; 6:18; 1 Ti 2:1-4).

Notice that Abraham prayed for Abimelech, who was an unbeliever.

Remember, the Word of God commands the believer to enter into intercessory prayer on behalf of all men, since God desires all men to be saved (1 Jo 2:2; 1 Ti 2:1-8; 2 Pe 3:9; Jo 3:16-17).

The principle, therefore, of Genesis 20:18 is the power of intercessory prayer, since Abraham’s prayer of faith appropriated the power of God, which healed Abimelech and his family.

Abraham’s intercession for Abimelech manifests his love for Abimelech and his obedience to intercede for all men as an expression of the love of God.

Remember, the Lord Jesus Christ expressed His love for those who mocked, scourged, vilified, and crucified Him by interceding for them before the Father (Luke 23:33-34).

Since Abraham was a beneficiary of God’s mercy, he sought mercy for others.

The fact that God heard and answered Abraham’s intercessory prayer for Abimelech in Genesis 20:18 clearly proves that Abraham was in fellowship with God because God does not hear the prayers of believers with un-confessed sin (Psa 66:18).