20. God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became a skilled archer.
21. He lived in the desert of Paran, and his mother got him a wife from Egypt.
22. At that time Abimelech, accompanied by Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.
23. Now, swear an oath to me here in front of God that you will never cheat me, my children, or my descendants. Show me and the land where you’ve been living the same kindness that I have shown you.”
24. Abraham said, “I so swear.”
25. Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well which Abimelech’s servants had seized.
26. Abimelech replied, “I don’t know who did this. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear about it until today.”
27. Abraham took some sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made an agreement.
28. Then Abraham set apart seven female lambs from the flock.
29. Abimelech asked him, “What is the meaning of these seven female lambs you have set apart?”
30. Abraham answered, “Accept these lambs from me so that they may be proof that I dug this well.”
31. This is why that place is called Beersheba, because both of them swore an oath there.
32. After they made the treaty at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, left and went back to the land of the Philistines.