Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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[1.] We are men; and, as men, we are mortal creatures--we may die to-morrow, and are concerned to be found in peace. We are rational creatures, and should be ruled by reason. We are men, and not brutes, men, and not children; we are sociable creatures, let us be so to the uttermost.
[2.] We are brethren. Men of the same nature, of the same kindred and family, of the same religion, companions in obedience, companions in patience. Note, The consideration of our relation to each other, as brethren, should always prevail to moderate our passions, and either to prevent or put an end to our contentions. Brethren should love as brethren.
9 Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
His proposal for peace was very fair. Many who profess to be for peace yet will do nothing towards it; but Abram hereby approved himself a real friend to peace that he proposed an unexceptionable expedient for the preserving of it: Is not the whole land before thee? Ge 13:9. As if he had said, "Why should we quarrel for room, while there is room enough for us both?"
(1.) He concludes that they must part, and is very desirous that they should part friends: Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me. What could be expressed more affectionately? He does not expel him, and force him away, but advises that he should separate himself. Nor does he charge him to depart, but humbly desires him to withdraw. Note, Those that have power to command, yet sometimes, for love's sake, and peace' sake, should rather beseech as Paul besought Philemon, Philemon 1:8, 9. When the great God condescends to beseech us, we may well afford to beseech one another, to be reconciled, 2Co 5:20.
(2.) He offers him a sufficient share of the land they were in. Though God had promised Abram to give this land to his seed (Ge 12:7), and it does not appear that ever any such promise