BIBLE PEOPLE | ABIMELECH, THE KING

1. Bible People

a) The Bible is an historic record of real people and places. 

b) Here is a brief biography of such a person during Bible times.

2. Abimelech, the King

a) There are two prominent people in the Bible named Abimelech. One was a king and the other was a judge.

b) Abimelech, the king, ruled over the land of Gerar during the time of Abraham (Genesis 20:1-18; 21:22-34). 

c)Fearing for his own safety, Abraham introduced Sarah, his wife, as his sister when he entered Abimelech's territory. Abimelech claimed Sarah for his harem, only to be warned in a dream that he had taken the wife of another man. Then Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham. The two men made a covenant with each other, and Abraham asked God to reward the king by giving him many children. 

d) The name Abimelech means "my father is king."