Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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find it will rebound to their own comfort and advantage, as well as to the glory of God.
11 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is
therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
12 And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
Abraham's modest and sincere refusal of Ephron's kind offer, Ge 23:12, 13. Abundance of thanks he returns him for it (Ge 23:12), makes his obeisance to him before the people of the land, that they might respect Ephron the more for the respect they saw Abraham give him (1Sa 15:30), but resolves to give him money for the field, even the full value of it. It was not in pride that Abraham refused the gift, or because he scorned to be beholden to Ephron; but,
1. In justice. Abraham was rich in silver and gold (Ge 13:2) and was able to pay for the field, and therefore would not take advantage of Ephron's generosity. Note, Honesty, as well as honour, forbids us to sponge upon our neighbours and to impose upon those that are free. Job reflected upon it with comfort, when he was poor, that he had not eaten the fruits of his land without money, Job 31:39.
2. In prudence. He would pay for it lest Ephron, when this good humour was over, should upbraid him with it, and say, I have made Abraham rich (Ge 14:23), or lest the next heir should question Abraham's title (because that grant was made without any consideration), and claim back the field. Thus David afterwards refused Araunah's offer, 2Sa 24:24. We know not what affronts we may hereafter receive from those that are now most kind and generous.
13 And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land,
saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
The price of the land fixed by Ephron but not insisted on: The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver (about fifty pounds of our money), but what is that between me and thee? Ge 23:14, 15. He would rather oblige his friend than have so much money in his pocket. Herein Ephron discovers,