Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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He proposes a covenant of friendship between them, to which Jacob readily agrees, without insisting upon Laban's submission, much less his restitution.
Note, When quarrels happen, we should be willing to be friends again upon any terms: peace and love are such valuable jewels that we can scarcely buy them too dearly. Better sit down losers than go on in strife. Now observe here,
1 The substance of this covenant. Jacob left it wholly to Laban to settle it. The tenour of it was,
(1.) That Jacob should be a good husband to his wives, that he should not afflict them, nor marry other wives besides them, Ge 31:50. Jacob had never given him any cause to suspect that he would be any other than a kind husband; yet, as if he had, he was willing to come under this engagement. Though Laban had afflicted them himself, yet he will bind Jacob that he shall not afflict them. Note, Those that are injurious themselves are commonly most jealous of others, and those that do not do their own duty are most peremptory in demanding duty from others.
(2.) That he should never be a bad neighbour to Laban, Ge 31:52. It was agreed that no act of hostility should ever pass between them, that Jacob should forgive and forget all the wrongs he had received and not remember them against Laban or his family in after-times. Note, We may resent an injury which yet we may not revenge.
51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar,
which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
52 this heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass
over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.
53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their
father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.