Abraham's Lie & Sarah's Capture

00:00:00 Speaker 1: This is an iHeart Podcast. 00:00:02 Speaker 2: Guaranteed human. 00:00:04 Speaker 3: Previously on The Chosen People. 00:00:07 Speaker 2: You've drawn the attention of Pharaoh's officials. And because of that, we should be prepared to tell them you're my sister, not my wife. This is for your protection as well as my own. If you've drawn the eye of a prominent Egyptian as your brother, my life would be spared. 00:00:29 Speaker 1: Abram, you would tell a half-truth and deny me the protection of my husband? Lie to spare yourself and ship me off to an Egyptian warlord? 00:00:41 Speaker 3: Abram winced. His resolution wavered at her directness. In its wake came guilt, and he was ashamed. 00:00:49 Speaker 2: To admit it. 00:00:49 Speaker 1: I have never been able to conceive, and in the ten years since we heard this promise, that hasn't changed. I would have you achieve this promise another way. I would present my maid to you so that you could conceive a child with her. 00:01:04 Speaker 3: And so Hagar did as her lady instructed. That very night she was escorted to her lord's tent. 00:01:13 Speaker 1: You have given your husband to me and I have done what you could not. Why should my station not be elevated? Who is to say that Abram will not decide between us? 00:01:26 Speaker 4: You are nothing! 00:01:28 Speaker 2: You are nothing! You are nothing! Master Abram, congratulations. 00:01:37 Speaker 5: Hagar has borne you a son. Hagar has asked me to relay the message that the boy's name will be Ishmael. 00:01:46 Speaker 3: Abram turned his face away from Sarai. He feared what would happen if he continued. Abram couldn't bring himself to fully admit what had happened in Egypt, certainly not to Sarai. Perhaps someday, but the failure still haunted him deeply. 00:02:12 Speaker 2: You really got to meet a king? 00:02:13 Speaker 5: I did. 00:02:16 Speaker 2: Did you see how big his army was? 00:02:19 Speaker 1: Oh, yes. 00:02:20 Speaker 2: They were very impressive. I even met their commander. They call him Phicol. These Philistines are an impressive people. I wish I had an army. Someday I'll be a great warrior. I would never doubt anything you set your mind to, my son. You are fiery and determined. 00:02:41 Speaker 5: Ha ha ha! 00:02:43 Speaker 2: I pity any enemy foolish enough to challenge you. But what aren't you asking me about my meeting with King Abimelech? I didn't go into Jerar to survey their army. 00:02:55 Speaker 4: Right. 00:02:56 Speaker 3: They don't seem to be hostile towards us, so they will let us stay here. 00:03:01 Speaker 1: Will they let us access the water in the valley for our flocks? 00:03:04 Speaker 2: Yes, and that's what's important. I'm glad to see you're thinking like a clan leader. Our flocks are our most precious resource. They're the source of our wealth. If they die, we die. That's why it's important that we have good relations with these other nations. I know you're taken with the idea of a large army, and knowing how to defend yourself can be prudent. But using diplomacy makes you wise. Fight if you have to. but form friendships when you can. Like you did with the Amorites back in Hebron. Exactly. 00:03:44 Speaker 5: Even if they're different than us and they don't follow our God? 00:03:49 Speaker 2: Sometimes the friends you make won't see eye to eye with you, but you try for peace before you go to war. 00:03:58 Speaker 3: So is Abimelech our friend now since you went to talk with him? 00:04:03 Speaker 2: We shall see. But keep your guard up. As you said, these people do not follow our God. They're savvy merchants here, having controlled this trade route for so long. But I fear they're also the kind of men who may take what they want. 00:04:22 Speaker 4: I see. 00:04:22 Speaker 2: I will be careful, Father. 00:04:24 Speaker 3: Abraham smiled at Ishmael as he ran off toward his mother's tent. At thirteen, he was almost a man. He absorbed all that Abraham taught him. and was proving to be as clever as he was competent, and well on his way to becoming a warrior. He had seen how his training was coming along. Ishmael would make a fine clan leader and a formidable foe one day. Frowning at the young man flying past her, his wife Sarah approached him. 00:04:57 Speaker 1: You've returned. How was the meeting? What did Abimelech say? Does he pose any threat to us? 00:05:03 Speaker 2: He will let us stay. But I still fear we'll need to be cautious in this territory of his. I do not trust the people. I saw many troubling things in the city. These people may not be as far gone as Sodom or the other cities on the plain, but they could prove treacherous. 00:05:25 Speaker 1: We'll have to bear that in mind. It's a relief to find well-watered lands to settle. I fear the famine will keep Hebron in its grip for some time. 00:05:34 Speaker 4: I agree. 00:05:36 Speaker 3: Abraham was glad that his wife had come to meet him to discuss the meeting. It was best that this conversation took place away from the others. He knew Sarah would better receive what he would ask of her away from an audience of spying eyes and listening ears. Abraham had hoped that the people's ways in the city would differ from those they had encountered, but his optimism waned when he saw their temples to false gods, brothels, polygamy, packed taverns, and general wanton and unruly lawlessness. He had hoped it would not be so, but Gira was the sort of place he feared his marriage would not be respected. 00:06:16 Speaker 2: Sarah. 00:06:18 Speaker 1: Yes, Abram? 00:06:19 Speaker 2: About what I saw in the city. 00:06:22 Speaker 1: What did you see? 00:06:24 Speaker 2: It's not so much what I saw as what I believe we need to do to keep ourselves safe. No one here fears the God Most High... and they live according to their whims. The Philistines are not at war with us, but I fear they will still take what they want. We're staying in their lands and at their mercy. We've amassed a great fortune, and though we are not a military threat to the Philistines, our agreement is tenuous, and they may seek to harm us in other ways. 00:06:59 Speaker 1: What are you saying? 00:07:01 Speaker 2: Sarah, I'm afraid. I see too many similarities in these people to the ones we've dealt with in the past. I'm terrified for my life. As the heads of our people, we will be a target. I fear that they will use you against me, or take you from me, or worse. 00:07:24 Speaker 1: We've survived this threat before, Abraham. 00:07:28 Speaker 2: I know we have. I hope we do so again. 00:07:31 Speaker 4: I would. 00:07:34 Speaker 2: call upon your loyalty as my wife again. I would have you tell everyone that you are my sister. Please do this for me. Please go along with this so I can rest easily. 00:07:48 Speaker 1: So you can rest easily? Even if it means I rest in fear for my life and dignity? Even though your God saved us in Egypt? 00:07:59 Speaker 2: I hadn't cut the covenant with our guard yet at that point. I must uphold my end of the agreement and mitigate any risk. There's so much more at stake now. What would happen to all of you if I were to be killed for political gain over our people? 00:08:17 Speaker 1: And what if they were to come for me and make me a part of the king's harem? What of your promise then? Don't forget promises have been made to me, too. 00:08:25 Speaker 2: I'll think of something if it comes to that. We have to trust that the God Almighty will protect the promise he's made to us. But I don't see any reason for us to be reckless. I think it would be safer if the Philistines didn't think they had anything to steal from me. 00:08:43 Speaker 1: I see your mind is made up. I will do what you ask. 00:08:50 Speaker 3: Abraham breathed a sigh of relief and rested easier, knowing the woman he loved would not be used against him. In his experience, evil men were far more tempted into evil deeds when tempted by something they could not have. Abraham circulated that Sarah was merely his sister, not his wife, and days went by without incident, until one morning the king, Abimelech, rode out to visit Abraham at their camp. His procession of guards and advisors walked alongside his donkey, and all of Abraham's people bowed before him. as he made his way to Abraham's tent in the heart of their caravan. 00:09:31 Speaker 2: May I present the king, Abimelech of Gerar. Your Majesty, be welcomed in my home. 00:09:38 Speaker 5: You may rise, my lord Abraham. How goes your work of settling into this land? 00:09:44 Speaker 2: Very well, your highness. You are very generous for coming here in person to inquire. 00:09:50 Speaker 3: Abraham could not help but notice the bite creeping into his tongue. Abimelech did not need to come out here to see how Abraham was, certainly in person. He could have sent envoys or spies to assess Abraham's people and belongings. Abraham knew posturing when he saw it. He was too old to have the patience for it. As these thoughts flashed through Abraham's mind, he saw the crafty ruler eyeing the people of Abraham's household behind him. Undoubtedly, he had already taken inventory of his armed men and the number of servants. Ishmael was beside Abraham, raising his chin and drawing his shoulder back in opposition. He was far from his final height, but Abraham's chest swirled with pride at how his son presented himself before this Abimelech. The king's gaze then swept over to his wife, Sarah. She darted her eyes to the ground, but Abraham could see that her staggering beauty had already been marked in the Abimelech's eyes. 00:10:51 Speaker 5: Indeed. You'll find me very involved in the day-to-day operations of my land. Gerar's wealth was not built overnight, and I take pains to ensure it's stewarded well. 00:11:02 Speaker 2: Of course, I understand, Your Highness. That's very admirable. 00:11:07 Speaker 5: Abraham, tell me, who is this lovely woman of your household? Surely she must be your wife. 00:11:15 Speaker 3: Abimelech appeared to be all flattery and praise, but Abraham observed a calculation in his gaze, tinged with desire. Abraham felt sick to his stomach. All that he feared would happen was unfolding before him now. 00:11:32 Speaker 2: Oh, no. No, she's my... Sarah is. 00:11:39 Speaker 2: Abimelech, I present Sarah... My sister. 00:11:43 Speaker 5: Well, that is very fortunate. You will add her to my hospitable terms for allowing you to camp here. That should 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, don't you think? 00:12:06 Speaker 3: Abimelech turned to his men and chuckled. They all laughed with a sinister and foreboding enthusiasm. Abraham winced as the full effect of the king's words smacked him in the face. He saw Sarah's eyes widen with horror, though her head was still declined. He then saw her jaw lock and anger. 00:12:27 Speaker 4: Formed on her face. 00:12:29 Speaker 3: Abraham could not imagine the fury she would unload on him later. He would need to figure out how to escape this mess first. He realized that Abimelech was waiting for his reply, and he found words tumbling out of his mouth to make up for the awkward hesitation. 00:12:46 Speaker 2: What a generous offer. But what if she were promised to another man? 00:12:53 Speaker 4: Is she? 00:12:54 Speaker 3: She isn't. 00:12:59 Speaker 5: I can see you are a wise man, Abraham. I am eager to see where this new friendship of ours takes us. 00:13:06 Speaker 2: Come now, Sarah. 00:13:08 Speaker 5: You'll come back with me now. My men can wait for your things to be gathered and packed. They will bring your belongings to the palace. 00:13:17 Speaker 3: Without any further ceremony or pleasantries, Abimelech did exactly as he said. Sarah was ushered to his side, saddled, and made to trot alongside his donkey back into the city. And Abraham was forced to watch as his wife was taken away from his care for a second time. His blood boiled with anger, not against Abimelech, but against himself. Mere hours later, Sarah was stiffly introduced to Abimelech's other wives and shown her new quarters by the head servant. She could throttle Abraham for this turn of events. Did he not learn? What did he think was going to happen? She bit back her anger, however, when she considered the alternative. Her fate would have remained the same, but Abraham would be lying dead before their camp. It was clear that no one denied this King Abimelech anything, and who knew what would have happened to Eliezer and the others. That evening, when she settled to sleep, she heard a sudden sob in the hallway outside her door. 00:14:24 Speaker 1: Maka, what's happened? What's wrong? Oh, I don't know. I was just with the midwife earlier today and everything seems fine. But now. 00:14:34 Speaker 1: He's gone. The baby's gone. 00:14:37 Speaker 4: Oh no, Maka. 00:14:38 Speaker 3: I'm so sorry. 00:14:40 Speaker 1: But you know, sometimes these things happen. 00:14:43 Speaker 2: No! 00:14:44 Speaker 1: I've lost babies before. This was different. 00:14:48 Speaker 6: How do you mean? 00:14:50 Speaker 1: This was the work of the gods. There was no blood, no pain. The babe is just gone. 00:14:57 Speaker 4: Look! 00:14:58 Speaker 1: By the might of Dagon, he's taken the babe from your very womb. What did I do to anger Dagon? I brought him an offering every evening. 00:15:07 Speaker 2: And prayed to him every morning. 00:15:09 Speaker 1: I was just at his temple this morning. How could I have angered him? 00:15:16 Speaker 3: Sarah sat up in her bed. This event felt suspiciously similar to what had happened the last time she was taken. She knew this was not Dagon's work. Sarah had come to realize that these Canaanite gods had very little actual power, if any at all. She knew there was only one god capable of such a thing. Sarah trembled as she attempted to go to sleep. Despite her fear, a glimmer of hope rang out in her heart. Perhaps the God Most High was preparing her rescue even now. Abimelech had just sent one of his concubines from his chambers and was settling into a satisfied slumber. Sleep pulled him under quickly, so he was deaf to the sudden stillness of the night. The breeze softly blowing the gauzy fabric around the windows halted as if someone had turned a great faucet, and the nighttime noises fell silent. Abimelech didn't notice any of that, but he did dream. The dark, warm night draped over Abimelech like a thick blanket. He was held down by its weight. Then, paralyzed, a booming voice shouted from the darkened abyss. The voice surrounded him in his dream, and he felt something he hadn't felt in a very long time. 00:16:38 Speaker 2: Fear. 00:16:39 Speaker 4: Behold, Abimelech. You are a dead man. 00:16:43 Speaker 5: Is this a god? What do you mean? 00:16:46 Speaker 4: 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. 00:16:57 Speaker 5: Am I to be killed because the woman I have taken belongs to another? I am innocent of what you accuse me of. Did Abraham himself not say to me, She. 00:17:09 Speaker 2: Is my sister? 00:17:11 Speaker 5: And did the woman... not confirm his words. You are clearly a powerful and angry god, but would you truly destroy me if I was innocent? And if you killed me, my nation would be thrown into chaos. Would you really do such a thing due to a misunderstanding? A deception that I am a victim of, by the way. I swear to you, My hands are clean. I did not know, and I have not even taken her to bed yet. I left her alone. My conscience is clear. And surely nothing has taken place that could not be righted. 00:17:59 Speaker 4: You speak to truth. It was I who kept you from taking her to your bed this night. Though you sated your lust with another on the accusation of adultery, Your conscience is clear. I have prevented you from sinning against me in this manner. Your devotion to your nation does you credit, and the land is thriving despite famine elsewhere. I will tell you something more, and listen carefully, Abimelech. My hand is on this man, Abraham. The nations who bless him will be blessed in return. The nations who curse him will be cursed. I will now give you a choice. If you return Abraham's wife, he will pray for you and you will live. He is a prophet and he speaks with my voice. Or you can choose not to return Abraham's wife, and not only will you die, but your entire household will end with you. You will see that I have already set that in motion. But remember, if Abraham, as my prophet, prays for you, it will be reversed. The choice is yours. Abimelech woke with a start. His body was covered in a cold sweat and he rubbed his eyes furiously. It was a dream, only a dream, but it was so real. He would need to consult his oracles and advisors immediately. One thing was for certain. 00:19:49 Speaker 5: The god. 00:19:50 Speaker 3: Had made his options very clear, but he wasn't sure what this god had already set in motion. Whatever could that mean? He felt fine, a little shaken, but overall in good health. He didn't seem to be in immediate danger of keeling over and dying. By now, it was the early morning. And despite the household mostly being asleep, Abimelech called his servants' advisors to report to him immediately. He told them of the dream he had and demanded that they interpret it. 00:20:20 Speaker 6: Your Majesty, I fear that what you've experienced may be more than a dream. 00:20:27 Speaker 5: Your meaning? 00:20:28 Speaker 6: There have been strange reports from the women of your household. We don't know how this is possible, but it seems that those who are pregnant are... No longer pregnant. They have miscarried. No, it's as if their wombs have. 00:20:46 Speaker 2: Been closed or emptied. 00:20:48 Speaker 6: The babe is nowhere to be found. 00:20:50 Speaker 2: Swollen, belly suddenly flat. 00:20:54 Speaker 5: How could that be? What have the priests said? Have you consulted the oracles? 00:21:00 Speaker 6: We have, my king. 00:21:01 Speaker 3: They are confounded. 00:21:03 Speaker 6: They have no answers, but some of them are concerned that this is a harbinger. Perhaps all the women are no longer fertile. Your Majesty, it pains me to say this, but it appears that Dagon has abandoned us. 00:21:19 Speaker 3: Abimelech was stunned at this assessment. But then Abimelech suddenly realized, if his wives and relatives were no longer able to carry children, his line would end. The god in the dream spoke true. This would be the death of him. Abraham had not slept a wink as he was tormented by how to rescue Sarah. He eventually gave up and paced back and forth until dawn. Still, nothing came to him that would not provoke open war. The sun was just starting to climb in the sky when an out-of-breath messenger from Abimelech arrived and demanded that Abraham come with him immediately. 00:22:00 Speaker 2: He didn't know. 00:22:00 Speaker 3: What to think when he was hauled before Abimelech in his receiving haul. Sarah stood bewildered at his side. It seemed that whatever was about to happen was a mystery to her as well. He was apprehensive, but resolved to play the hand that was dealt to him. He waited for Abimelech to speak. 00:22:19 Speaker 5: Abraham, what have I done to you for you to deceive me? Sarah is not your sister. She is your wife. Your deception almost caused me to sin against your God. You have provoked his anger against me and my entire household. He has closed the wombs of all the women. The babes are gone and there will likely be no more. Your God has rendered them all sterile. Your God means to end my line. I declared my own innocence on account of your deception. I beseeched him and asked if you would really sweep away the innocent with the wicked. 00:22:56 Speaker 3: Familiarity of this scene washed over Abraham. and rebuke of this pagan king's tongue. Had Abraham not uttered similar words to his god when he heard of the impending doom for Sodom? Nevertheless, his anxiety ebbed as he realized his god was making a way for rescue after all. The thought emboldened Abraham. 00:23:18 Speaker 2: Can you blame me for wanting to protect myself? I may be in the humble position of needing the provision of your lands, but I am not defenseless. 00:23:29 Speaker 5: Indeed, you are surely shrouded by a powerful God. Never in my life have I seen such an act of judgment. I fear your God, Abraham, and I have a feeling I may fear him more than you do, considering your deception. 00:23:46 Speaker 2: My covenant with my God is none of your concern. 00:23:50 Speaker 5: None of my concern? My lineage is ruined because of you, Abraham. Who knows what worse things would have happened if I actually bedded your wife. Luckily for me and my loins, I don't have to find out. 00:24:03 Speaker 3: This admission flooded Abraham with relief, and he softened toward the king who had given his people shelter in his land. 00:24:14 Speaker 2: I saw that your people did not fear my god, or any god, really. And I assumed, rightly, that my life would be in danger if you or one of your officials desired my wife. We've come across this in Canaan before. I have long had this agreement with Sarah, where we tell everyone we are siblings. She is my wife, but she is also my half-sister. We share the same father, but not the same mother. So, you see, it's not an outright lie. But she does belong to me. and falls under my protection. 00:24:51 Speaker 5: And there she shall remain. I will return her to you, and as a gesture of my good faith in the reluctant friendship we have struck, I will also give you sheep and oxen, 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 silver, Let this serve as a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all. With this price, I pronounce you vindicated and your honor is restored. Let all this be said right and peace go between us. 00:25:31 Speaker 3: With that, Abimelech bowed his head to Sarah and gestured for her to join her husband before him. Abraham was stunned. A thousand pieces of silver? Most only saw ten shekels a year if they were lucky. This exorbitant amount certainly served as proof that Abimelech did not touch Sarah. Abraham frowned. He believed that Abimelech was true to his word, but he also suspected that the payment was also a way to absolve himself of guilt and perhaps appease their fertility god. But Abimelech again surprised Abraham. He stood from his throne and knelt before Abraham. 00:26:13 Speaker 5: Your god declared you a prophet. having the ability to speak with his voice. I ask you now to pray for me. You have access to this mighty God. I would ask you on my behalf to ask him to lift this curse from me and my household. 00:26:35 Speaker 3: Abraham was amazed. The God Most High had told Abimelech that he was a prophet. Abraham had spoken with his God, but never before had he been given the responsibility of intercession. Abraham was moved beyond words of the honor his God had shown him. Despite his missteps, despite his failure to protect his wife, despite his lack of trust in his God's ability to provide. 00:27:02 Speaker 2: You honor me, and I will do what you ask. I will ask the God Most High to heal you and your household. 00:27:10 Speaker 3: And so Abraham prayed for Abimelech. Once he had finished praying and departed with Sarah, their new possessions and the silver, reports reached their camp that the entirety of Abimelech's household had indeed been healed. Abraham and Sarah were amazed. Steve Gatina, Max Bard, Zach Schelleberger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Jr., Rosanna Pilcher and Mitch Lashinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan-Smith. written by Aaron Salvato, Brie Rosely, and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey.com productions on the Prey.com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review. 00:28:15 Speaker 1: This is an iHeart Podcast. 00:28:18 Speaker 2: Guaranteed human.