Abraham's Alliance

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the chosen people. 00:00:03 Speaker 2: Abraham, you answered my call and left your land. You left your father's house, and now here you are. 00:00:14 Speaker 3: Yes, I have done what you asked. 00:00:18 Speaker 2: Now what you have been faithful so far in what I have asked you. Because of your faithfulness, I will uphold my promise to you. You now stand on the land that I will one day give your offspring. 00:00:34 Speaker 3: Lord, we've seen how these clans treat their people. They sanctioned such cruelty in their warfare, and the worship of their vengeful gods involves human sacrifice and other unsavory acts. I'm not so sure we should compromise our. 00:00:53 Speaker 4: Ways, Abraham. Tell me who is this lovely woman of your household? Surely she must be your wife? 00:01:04 Speaker 3: Oh no, No, she's my Sarah. Is Bimelek? I present Sarah, my sister. 00:01:14 Speaker 4: Well, that is very fortunate. You will add her to my hospitable terms for allowing you to camp here. That shall be more than enough to cover the bride price. She is advanced in years but exceedingly beautiful. You would not get a more favorable offer for her hand. And I think she would make a fine addition to my harem of wives. 00:01:36 Speaker 2: Don't you think. Behold, Bimic, you are a dead man? 00:01:42 Speaker 4: Is this a god? What do you mean? 00:01:46 Speaker 2: You have done a terrible thing and you will die because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is another man's wife. 00:01:57 Speaker 4: Abraham, what have I done to you for you to deceive me? I will return her to you, and it's a gesture of my good faith in the reluctant friendship we have struck. I will also give you sheep and auxy, and add to the servants of your household. My land is before you. I would ask that you dwell wherever it pleases you. And to you, Sarah, I will give your husband a thousand shekels of SyRI Let this serve as a sign of your innocence and the eyes of all. With this price, I pronounce you've vindicated and your honor is restored. Let all this be said right, and peace go between us. The pa from the Hebrews have blown into her town on the winds of prosperity. 00:02:54 Speaker 5: This walk gets longer and longer each day. It's like descending to the depths of Chowell itself. 00:03:00 Speaker 3: Don't say that, Timna, Well. 00:03:02 Speaker 5: All I'm saying is the heat is drying up the water, and our walk to the bottom is only getting longer. 00:03:09 Speaker 6: Aye, And with the summer he did's only going to get worse, For it gets better, and at least we have this well. Abraham was wise to dig one here for us. We don't like her lyon on our neighbors as we have been doing. 00:03:21 Speaker 1: As the sun sank in the sky, the two women from Abraham's camp were the last of the wells visitors for the day. They were gathering their water supply for the next day, and trying to do so before they lost the light entirely. On their way up the chiseled stone steps back to ground level, the younger woman stopped dead in her tracks. 00:03:45 Speaker 6: Why temnah, what's the hold up? 00:03:48 Speaker 3: We have to get back for it gets dark. 00:03:50 Speaker 1: The younger woman dropped her water skins and timidly held her hands in the air. The older peered around her to see a company of armed men standing before her. She gasped, nearly dropping her own load, and descended a. 00:04:05 Speaker 7: Stare not so first, I see there are two of you. Leave the water and exit the well. 00:04:14 Speaker 1: The women did what he asked, now, both wearily holding their arms up trying for submission and praying that the men would not harm them. But it was difficult to believe that these hardened men with spears and battle axes in their hands would not use them. 00:04:31 Speaker 7: A bit late to be gathering at the well, don't you think, please. 00:04:35 Speaker 6: We were just trying to avoid the heat of the day. 00:04:38 Speaker 7: Why are there no guards on this edge of your settlement? Don't you have protectors? We have armed men, but not nearby. 00:04:50 Speaker 2: What are their numbers? 00:04:52 Speaker 5: I if we tell you, will you let us go? 00:04:56 Speaker 7: I like you, tell us the numbers of your fighting men, and we will let you go. 00:05:03 Speaker 3: We have your word. Your people respect oaths? 00:05:05 Speaker 6: Do they not? 00:05:07 Speaker 7: I will not savages. We may take what we want from time to time, but we keep our rolls. I swear on the grave of my dear Mama. I will let you go from this site if you tell us about your fighting men, unharmed. 00:05:26 Speaker 2: I unharmed. 00:05:28 Speaker 6: We have a few hundred armed men. They're battle hardened, but they're no army, not like. 00:05:33 Speaker 5: Your people's there. Now you know our numbers, let us leave in peace. 00:05:39 Speaker 7: You may go, but tell your people this well belongs to the new Bimelech. Tell them there's a new king in the land. Do not forget it is he who lets you dwell here in peace. 00:05:57 Speaker 3: This business with the well, master, Abraham, Yes, this must be dealt with. Tell me, has any blood been spilled? Have our men found a weakness in their defenses? No? 00:06:11 Speaker 7: Master, They have the well mound, which is well fortified, with watchmen on all sides. They have the advantage of the high ground. We cannot take it back by surprising them. We would need to engage them directly in conflict. 00:06:25 Speaker 3: I cannot provoke a war. We must proceed with caution. But what do we know about this new regime in Gerrar. 00:06:33 Speaker 7: Not much, Master, But we do know he relies heavily on the council of his commander. 00:06:39 Speaker 3: The vical, a military commander is his chief adviser. 00:06:44 Speaker 1: Ah. 00:06:44 Speaker 3: That does not bode well for hopes of peace. Ah. Perhaps we've come to rely too heavily on the friendship of the priory. Bimelech. We should never have left the well unguarded as we did. 00:07:00 Speaker 7: Yes, Master, in hindsight, that was a grave error. But the old regime never gave us any reason to fear. Our boundaries were well established. 00:07:09 Speaker 3: But the season turns now to warmer weather, Our only option for watering our people and livestock lies in securing the water deep underground. We need to win back that well. 00:07:24 Speaker 4: Fikael, Yes, these calculations cannot be accurate. Surely this immigrant clan leader cannot be prospering this much, can he? If these are the figures he is paying us as his landlord? How much more must he be profiting to afford such a sum? 00:07:43 Speaker 8: Yes, your highness, King of Bimleck, I had them verify the figures three times to be sure, and I personally verified that Abraham has been a dutiful tenant since he arrived here over a decade ago. 00:07:55 Speaker 4: I know he had favorable dealings with my predecessor. I found the let recording a large sum that was gifted to him. The notes say that it was on account of some business with his wife. A memory stirs, but I do not remember the details. What do we know of this Hebrew? 00:08:16 Speaker 7: I have learned a fair amount, my king, His reputation precedes him, though he keeps to his lance. He had been prosperous in his trade, bringing wealth wherever he settled. He is generally very peaceful, but led a great military campaign and united many clans a number of years ago. However, I have heard he is a great man of faith to some powerful foreign god. 00:08:40 Speaker 3: They say his god is. 00:08:42 Speaker 7: The one responsible for the destruction of Sodom. Some call him a prophet. 00:08:49 Speaker 2: He would be a formidable. 00:08:50 Speaker 7: Ally to make, and perhaps an even more formidable enemy if we don't tread lightly. We should keep that in mind, My King. 00:09:00 Speaker 4: Hm interesting and perhaps it is his God who makes him so rich, and for the former a Bimelech to hand him such a fortune. Are we sure there was no scandal? 00:09:14 Speaker 3: Yes, very astute of you, my king. 00:09:17 Speaker 7: There were outlandish rumors about a curse on the former a Bimelech's household. 00:09:22 Speaker 2: I hardly know what to believe. There were not. 00:09:25 Speaker 7: Many who wished to speak of it. But the sums given to Abraham speak for themselves. Perhaps he really is a prophet. Perhaps the sum was a payment for lifting the curse. 00:09:36 Speaker 4: We should meet with him, Perhaps we can win him, and therefore is God to our side. I would like to set up an arrangement that binds him to us. Fichel, send for him to meet with me, as you wish, my. 00:09:52 Speaker 1: King, Abraham and Delhi as a road to the palace dwelling of Abemelek. It was hewn from rough sandstone and balsa wood, crafted crudely but nonetheless remarkable. Within its halls were torches illuminating carvings of prior conquests. The room stank of leftover meat and incense to pagan gods. Helieza felt unsettled. 00:10:22 Speaker 7: No, Master, be sure, He'll let him speak first. We should find out his intentions before he raised our grievances with his men. 00:10:33 Speaker 3: Yes, Eliezar, as you said many times, Now, don't be so nervous, my old friend. We met with kings before. Our God has always protected us. 00:10:44 Speaker 7: Yes, my lord, you're right. 00:10:46 Speaker 3: Of course, you're right. 00:10:48 Speaker 1: The two men entered Abymelek's throne room, and Abraham smiled as he remembered the circumstances of his last visit. He had been terrified of the previous abimelex and fell back on old habits of self reliance. But how things had changed since then. Not only had his wife been returned to him, but the generous gifts of the king had kicked off a decade of prosperity even he had never seen before. Not to mention, the promise of his son Isaac had come to fruition in this land. He felt confident in his God. His faith had been tested and every time his God had come through. Thus Abraham wore the confidence of a man who knew his place in the world and his status among kings and war lords. If God was on his side, there was no reason to fear. 00:11:45 Speaker 7: I present his Majesty of Bimlich, King of Gharah, proud colony and outposts of the Philistines, And I present my master, Abraham, son of Terror, of the line of Shem, a prophet to the God Almighty, the One True God. 00:12:02 Speaker 4: Well met, Abraham, Welcome to my city. I understand you had a friendship with my predecessor. I see no reason for that friendship not to continue. 00:12:14 Speaker 1: Abraham stole a smug glance in Eliez's direction. The old servant seemed to relax at the king's words. 00:12:23 Speaker 3: That is very generous of you, your highness. 00:12:27 Speaker 4: You have heard reports that this God of yours is with you in everything you do. Swear to me by your God here and now that you will not break an agreement with me or my children and descendants. I wish there to be peace and prosperity between our two peoples, and as I have been loyal to you. You will be faithful to me and to this country where you are a resident alien. 00:12:51 Speaker 3: This is welcome news, said Bimelet, and I look forward to peace between us. I will agree to your treaty. I would even invite you to bind this agreement between us by way of cutting the covenant, which is the custom among my people and in the covenant tradition. I will gift you flocks and cattle. This will seal our promise to one another. 00:13:15 Speaker 4: It shall be as you say, I will cut the covenant with you so that it may serve as a witness to this agreement between us. 00:13:23 Speaker 3: Thank you, Abimelech. I would bring one more matter to your attention, though I wish to start our friendship off with transparency speak. Perhaps word has not reached you yet. I doubt you could have ordered it, since you arranged this meeting with me today. But your men have seized one of my wells. 00:13:48 Speaker 4: I was not aware of this fichel have you heard anything? Were they armed men? Were they acting under your orders? I never mind. We will do what we can and to rectify the situation. I extend friendship to you so we may share in your God's blessing. I would not have this conflict sand between us. Fichel, see that the matter is resolved, and call back your men. 00:14:15 Speaker 1: Shortly after, Abraham and Delia, as it were, dismissed from Abimelek's presence, they celebrated the fortunate turn of events. 00:14:24 Speaker 7: Master Abraham, I cannot believe how well that worked out for us. Praise God Almighty. 00:14:30 Speaker 3: Indeed, it's just as he foretold when he first called me. The nations who bless me, he will also be blessed. The Bimelech is wise to heed that part of the promise, even if he does not understand our faith. 00:14:47 Speaker 7: Whatever the reason is, Master, I'm glad for this diplomatic solution. Shall I see how to arrange the animals for the agreement for the covenant as well? 00:14:58 Speaker 3: Yes, thank you. I would also have you pulled seven u lambs for the ceremony, of. 00:15:06 Speaker 7: Course, Master may I ask why, mister. 00:15:09 Speaker 3: Abraham, Oh, you shall see, my friend, You shall. 00:15:14 Speaker 1: See bellies full from hours of feasting together. Abraham escorted a Beemelek to the edge of his territory and friendship. 00:15:25 Speaker 4: Abraham, I must commend you. Your hospitality has honored me. I look forward to our friendship. 00:15:34 Speaker 3: Thank you a bimelek as do I I have won more gift I would give you before you depart. 00:15:42 Speaker 4: Abraham, this is most generous. You've already gifted me many flocks and cattle. 00:15:49 Speaker 3: I have, my king, I have separated seven ewes from the flocks I now present to you. 00:15:56 Speaker 1: Sure enough, Abraham's servants brought out the seven sheep as a beameleg and his entourage turned to look. 00:16:04 Speaker 4: What is this custom? Why have you separated these ues? 00:16:09 Speaker 3: I would have you accept these seven us from me, so that this act will be my witness that I dog this well. Your highness. 00:16:17 Speaker 4: I see you have sealed our friendship and insured peace between us and the blood of our covenant. But now you mean to confirm the ownership of this well by bearing witness both through this payment and this crowd of onlookers. You are a shrewd man, Abraham. If I say no, I've spat in the face of the alliance we've brokered. If I say yes, then I have yielded some ownership of my whimb to you. I accept your gift, Abraham. The well will remain in your possession, as well as the possession of your family. 00:16:54 Speaker 1: Forevermore Satisfied with both the treaty and the guaranteed ownership of the well for generations to come, Abraham returned to the sight of the agreement. A few days later. He brought with him a seedling of a tamarisk tree. After he knelt in the dust and packed in the dirt around the tiny tree, he stood back and admired his work. He would return to this spot often to look after the tree and remember this achievement of security in the land of the Philistines. The tree was not only a final celebratory part of sealing the covenant he had made with a Beemelech, but he also felt that it served as a part of sealing the covenant his God had made with him all those years ago. His son from his beloved wife Sarah had been born, and there they were prospering in the land his God had promised to give him, and so the tree would serve as a reminder, as had the new name he had been given and the mark the covenant on his body. To ensure the survival of the tree, he would have to return to this spot often. Every time he did, he would call on the name of his Almighty God. This Prey dot Com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, Bree Rosalie, and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Place. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review,