_A.M. 2093. B.C. 1911._ Hagar probably was one of those maid-servants which the king of Egypt (among other gifts) bestowed upon Abram, Genesis 12:16. Concerning her we have four things in this chapter, ( 1,) _ Her marriage to Abram her master, Genesis 16:1._ (2,) _ Her misbehaviour toward Sarai h... [ Continue Reading ]
We have here the marriage of Abram to Hagar, who was his secondary wife. Herein though he may be _excused_, he cannot be _justified;_ for _from the beginning it was not so:_ and when it was so, it seems to have proceeded from an irregular desire to build up their families, for the more speedy peopli... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her mistress was despised in her eyes_ Thus began the ill consequences of Abram's marriage to Hagar: much mischief it made presently. Hagar no sooner perceives herself with child, but she looks scornfully upon her mistress; upbraids her, perhaps, with her barrenness, and insults over her. Sarai fal... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy maid is in thy hand_ Though she was _his wife_, he would not countenance her in any thing disrespectful to Sarai. Those who would keep up peace and love must return soft answers to hard accusations; husbands and wives particularly should endeavour not to be both angry together. _And when Sarai... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is the first mention we have in Scripture of an angel's appearance; who arrested her in her flight. It should seem she was making toward her own country, for she was in the way to Shur, which lay toward Egypt. It would be well if our afflictions would make us think of our home, the better count... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid_ 1st, This was to check her pride. Though she was Abram's wife, yet he calls her _Sarai's maid_, to humble her. 2d, It was a rebuke to her flight. Sarai's maid ought to be in Sarai's tent, and not wandering in the wilderness. _Whence camest thou_? Consider that thou... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will multiply thy seed exceedingly_ Hebrews _Multiplying I will multiply it;_ that is, multiply it in every age, so as to perpetuate it. The Hagarenes, Saracens, and various other tribes of Arabs were descended from Ishmael, and they have been, and still are, a great people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ishmael_ That is, _God will hear;_ and the reason is, because the Lord _hath heard_ He _hath_, and therefore he _will._ The experience we have had of God's seasonable kindness in distress should encourage us to hope for the like help in the like exigencies. Even there where there is little cry of d... [ Continue Reading ]
_He will be a wild man A wild ass_ of a man; so the word is: rude, and bold, and fearing no man; untamed, untractable, living at large, and impatient of service and restraint. _His hand will be against every man _ That is his sin; and _every man's hand against him_ That is his punishment. Those that... [ Continue Reading ]
_And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her_ That is, thus she made confession of his name, _Thou God seest me_ This should be, with her, his name for ever, and this his memorial, by which she would know him, and remember him while she lived, _Thou God seest me._ Thou seest my sorrow an... [ Continue Reading ]
_The well was called Beer-lahai-roi The well of him that lives and sees me._ It is likely Hagar put this name upon it, and it was retained long after. This was the place where the God of glory manifested the special care he took of a poor woman in distress. Those that are graciously admitted into co... [ Continue Reading ]