2 And Abraham said to his chief servant, the manager of all his property, Come now, put your hand under my leg: 3 And take an oath by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not get a wife for my son Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am living; 4 But that you will go into my country and to my relations and get a wife there for my son Isaac. 5 And the servant said, If by chance the woman will not come with me into this land, am I to take your son back again to the land from which you came? 6 And Abraham said, Take care that you do not let my son go back to that land. 7 The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth, and made an oath to me, saying, To your seed I will give this land: he will send his angel before you and give you a wife for my son in that land. 8 And if the woman will not come with you, then you are free from this oath; only do not take my son back there. 9 And the servant put his hand under Abraham's leg, and gave him his oath about this thing.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 24:2-9
Commentary on Genesis 24:1-9
(Read Genesis 24:1-9)
The effect of good example, good teaching, and the worship of God in a family, will generally appear in the piety, faithfulness, prudence, and affection of the servants. To live in such families, or to have such servants, both are blessings from God which should be highly valued, and thankfully acknowledged. But no concern in life is of greater importance to ourselves, to others, or to the church of God, than marriage. It therefore ought always to be undertaken with much care and prudence, especially with reference to the will of God, and with prayer for his direction and blessing. Where good parents are not consulted and regarded, the blessing of God cannot be expected. Parents, in disposing of their children, should carefully consult the welfare of their souls, and their furtherance in the way to heaven. Observe the charge Abraham gave to a good servant, one whose conduct, faithfulness, and affection, to him and his family, he had long known. Observe also, that Abraham remembers that God had wonderfully brought him out of the land of his birth, by the call of his grace; and therefore doubts not but He will prosper his care, not to bring his son thither again. God will cause that to end in our comfort, in which we sincerely aim at his glory.