26 And Abimelech had come to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his friend and Phicol, the captain of his army. 27 And Isaac said to them, Why have you come to me, seeing that in your hate for me you sent me away from you? 28 And they said, We saw clearly that the Lord was with you: so we said, Let there be an oath between us and you, and let us make an agreement with you; 29 That you will do us no damage, even as we put no hand on you, and did you nothing but good, and sent you away in peace: and now the blessing of the Lord is on you. 30 Then he made a feast for them, and they all had food and drink. 31 And early in the morning they took an oath one to the other: then Isaac sent them away and they went on their way in peace. 32 And that day Isaac's servants came to him and gave him word of the water-hole which they had made, and said to him, We have come to water. 33 And he gave it the name of Shibah: so the name of that town is Beer-sheba to this day.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 26:26-33
Commentary on Genesis 26:26-33
(Read Genesis 26:26-33)
When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him, Proverbs 16:7. Kings' hearts are in his hands, and when he pleases, he can turn them to favour his people. It is not wrong to stand upon our guard in dealing with those who have acted unfairly. But Isaac did not insist on the unkindnesses they had done him; he freely entered into friendship with them. Religion teaches us to be neighbourly, and, as much as in us lies, to live peaceable with all men. Providence smiled upon what Isaac did; God blessed his labours.