Kings' hearts are in his hands, and when he pleases, he can turn them to favour his people. Verses 26-33 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him, ( Proverbs 16:7 ). Those may remove with comfort who are sure of God's presence. The same night that Isaac came weary and uneasy to Beer-sheba, God brought comforts to his soul. When men are false and unkind, still God is faithful and gracious and his time to show himself so is, when we are most disappointed by men. Those that study to be quiet, seldom fail of being so. At length Isaac digged a well, for which they strove not.
And what a mercy it is to have plenty of water to have it without striving for it! The more common this mercy is, the more reason to be thankful for it. See the nature of worldly things they make quarrels, and are occasions of strife and what is often the lot of the most quiet and peaceable those who avoid striving, yet cannot avoid being striven with. Verses 18-25 Isaac met with much opposition in digging wells. If we are wrongfully driven from one place, the Lord will make room for us in another. That wisdom which is from above, will teach us to give up our right, and to draw back from contentions. Also of the corruption of nature for that is an ill principle indeed, which makes men grieve at the good of others. It is an instance of the vanity of the world for the more men have of it, the more they are envied, and exposed to censure and injury.
Be it observed, for the encouragement of poor tenants who occupy other people's lands, and are honest and industrious, that God blessed him with a great increase. The sins of professors shame them before those that are not themselves religious. This Abimelech was not the same that lived in Abraham's days, but both acted rightly. The falls of those who are gone before us are so many rocks on which others have split and the recording of them is like placing buoys to save future mariners. This rendered his conduct the greater sin. The temptation of Isaac is the same as that which overcame his father, and that in two instances. Verses 6-11 There is nothing in Isaac's denial of his wife to be imitated, nor even excused. God testifies that he approved this obedience, to encourage others, especially Isaac. The obedience of Abraham to the Divine command, was evidence of that faith, whereby, as a sinner, he was justified before God, and the effect of that love whereby true faith works.
If God engage to be with us, and we are where he would have us to be, nothing but our own unbelief and distrust can prevent our comfort. The real worth of God's promises cannot be lessened to a believer by any cross providences that may befall him. Verses 1-5 Isaac had been trained up in a believing dependence upon the Divine grant of the land of Canaan to him and his heirs and now that there is a famine in the land, Isaac still cleaves to the covenant. (18-25) Abimelech makes a covenant with Isaac. (12-17) Isaac digs wells God blesses him. (6-11) Isaac grows rich, The Philistines' envy. (1-5) He denies his wife and is reproved by Abimelech.
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