Genesis 20:1 - 22:24
Abraham and Sarah went down to Gerar, and Abraham tried the "she's my sister" thing again, on king Abimelech. Abimelech was a bit miffed that Abraham almost got him in trouble with God for accidental adultery; but Abraham said, "Sorry, dude, I didn't expect you to know about God. She really is my half-sister, though." So Abimelech gave back Sarah, along with livestock, servants, and silver, and God made Abimelech's household fruitful.
Sarah also became fruitful, giving birth to Isaac. Ishmael mocked Isaac, so Sarah insisted that Abraham banish him and Hagar. God said, "It's cool; Isaac's your main son, but Ishmael gets to found a nation too." So Abraham sent them away with bread and water. After the water ran out, Hagar sat down to die, but God showed her a well. Ishmael grew up in the wilderness, became an archer, and married an Egyptian.
Abraham and Abimelech continued to get along, except for a misunderstanding involving Abimelech's servants and a well, and made an oath at Beersheba.
Sometime later, God said, "Hey, Abraham! I want you to take Isaac up to Moriah and sacrifice him on this mountain I'm thinking of." So they went up, and Abraham bound Isaac on the altar he built, and was juuuust about to kill him, when the angel of God said, "Hang on there! You were willing to give up your son, but you don't have to actually go through with it." And there was a ram caught in the underbrush nearby, which Abraham sacrificed instead. And the angel reiterated that Abraham would have lots of descendants, adding that his offspring would bless all nations because of his obedience. Abraham later found out that he was an uncle several times over through Nahor.
Sarah also became fruitful, giving birth to Isaac. Ishmael mocked Isaac, so Sarah insisted that Abraham banish him and Hagar. God said, "It's cool; Isaac's your main son, but Ishmael gets to found a nation too." So Abraham sent them away with bread and water. After the water ran out, Hagar sat down to die, but God showed her a well. Ishmael grew up in the wilderness, became an archer, and married an Egyptian.
Abraham and Abimelech continued to get along, except for a misunderstanding involving Abimelech's servants and a well, and made an oath at Beersheba.
Sometime later, God said, "Hey, Abraham! I want you to take Isaac up to Moriah and sacrifice him on this mountain I'm thinking of." So they went up, and Abraham bound Isaac on the altar he built, and was juuuust about to kill him, when the angel of God said, "Hang on there! You were willing to give up your son, but you don't have to actually go through with it." And there was a ram caught in the underbrush nearby, which Abraham sacrificed instead. And the angel reiterated that Abraham would have lots of descendants, adding that his offspring would bless all nations because of his obedience. Abraham later found out that he was an uncle several times over through Nahor.