1. Abraham left Hebron and traveled to southern Canaan. He stayed awhile between Kadesh and Shur. Then he moved to Gerar.
2. Abraham told people that his wife Sarah was his sister. Abimelech king of Gerar heard this. So he sent some servants to take her.
3. But one night God spoke to Abimelech in a dream. God said, “You will die. That woman you took is married.”
4. But Abimelech had not slept with Sarah. So he said, “Lord, would you destroy an innocent nation?
5. Abraham himself told me, ‘This woman is my sister.’ And she also said, ‘He is my brother.’ I am innocent. I did not know I was doing anything wrong.”
6. Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did not realize what you were doing. So I did not allow you to sin against me. I did not allow you to sleep with her.
7. Give Abraham his wife back. He is a prophet. He will pray for you, and you will not die. But if you do not give Sarah back, you will die. And all your family will surely die.”
8. So early the next morning, Abimelech called all his officers. He told them everything that had happened in the dream. They were very much afraid.
9. Then Abimelech called Abraham to him. Abimelech said, “What have you done to us? What wrong did I do against you? Why did you bring this trouble to my kingdom? You should not have done these things to me.